Test and trace success rate falls for third week

Data from the Department for Health and Social care shows 3,796 people who tested positive for Covid-19 in the borough were transferred to the the Test and Trace service between May 28 and November 11.

The data also shows 617 new cases were transferred in the last seven days of that period – the largest increase since the regime began.

The system identified 8,080 close contacts over the period – but just 62.5% were reached – meaning 3,030 people who came into close contact with a someone who was found to be positive for COVID-19 was not traced.

The tracing success figure is down from 63.6% at the start of the scheme to October 21, 63% by October 28 and 62.6% by November 4.

Across England, 58.9% of contacts not managed by local health protection teams were reached and told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace in the latest week to November 11.

Contact tracers ask each new patient to give details for anyone they were in close contact with in the 48 hours before their symptoms started.

Local health protection teams deal with cases linked to settings such as hospitals, schools and prisons.

Nationally, around 157,000 new cases were transferred in the week to November 11 - the highest weekly number since NHS Test and Trace was launched.