New Covid contact tracing scheme to roll out in Wakefield and Kirklees will aim to 'break the chain' of infection ahead of Tier 3 lockdown

The new enhanced contact tracing system will roll out across both local authorities from Monday, November 30, and will work alongside the existing national NHS Test and Trace scheme.

Council leaders said the new service will be "fully integrated" with the national service, and will aim to make contact with hard to reach positive cases and identify their close contacts where the NHS service has been unsuccessful.

According to the latest figures, NHS Test and Trace have managed to reach just 61.3 per cent of close contacts of people with coronavirus in Wakefield.

It is hoped that the new system will help to improve on this figure.

Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “We must all work together to help reduce the spread of the virus and save lives.

“We are launching this new service with Kirklees Council to help to strengthen the existing NHS tracing service, and help break the chain of infection. The new service is here to support residents and communities in our districts as we all continue to tackle the virus.”

The new service comes just days before the two authorities, along with the rest of West Yorkshire, enter into the highest level of Covid-19 restrictions.

As part of the contact tracing scheme, specially trained Contact Tracing Officers will follow up with people yet to respond to NHS Test and Trace via text or phone, initially calling them from a local number.

People who have tested positive will be given advice on how they can isolate, the importance of doing so and where they can access support.

Positive cases will also be asked to share details of others they may have been in close contact with.

As part of this approach, contact tracers advise people who have tested positive and their contacts about how to get practical support, if it is difficult for them to self-isolate.

An interpretation service is available for residents whose native language is not English.

With both Kirklees and Wakefield having above average Covid-19 infection rates people are urged to take the right actions and help save lives.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, Director of Public Health at Kirklees Council and Anna Hartley, Director of Public Health at Wakefield Council said: “This is a concentrated effort by both councils to drive down infections with welcome support from Public Health England.

"Whilst there has and continues to be sustained efforts across both local authorities to help our communities protect themselves and others, both Kirklees and Wakefield still have above average infection rates.

"This new service will further support the work we are doing to tackle infection rates on a local level. Isolation plays a key part in breaking the chain of infection, the quicker we can reach those who’ve tested positive and their contacts through the introduction of this service - the quicker we can break the chain.

"Additionally, we should all continue with the basic measures - social distancing from those outside your household, wearing a face covering, washing your hands regularly and isolating and testing when you have symptoms - as they remain very important.

"These simple actions make a difference wherever you live. Together they help to contain and prevent further spread of COVID-19, significantly reduce your chances of being infected or infecting someone else and ultimately help to bring our rates back down.”

The new tracing service operates every day from 1pm to 8pm. For information on community support available and to request a visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19, a persistent cough, loss of taste or smell, is urged to get a test. All NHS testing for COVID-19 is free.

If anyone has any concerns about the call or identity of a contact tracer, verification can be gained by calling the Contact Tracing Team on 01924 482119.

Anyone who is contacted will never be asked for money or bank details for any reason.

The local testing service is available from Monday to Friday and bookings for appointments can be made at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 01924 224497.

Alternatively, email the person’s name and contact details to [email protected].

If people cannot drive, or are is too ill to travel, the team will arrange a testing visit to their home address.

If a parent is isolating because their child, aged between 5 and 12 years has symptoms, a test can be brought to the house for the parent to swab the child.

The new test and trace system also supports care homes, helping them with testing for residents and staff.