Coronavirus: Local contact trace systems in Hampshire and Portsmouth prove a 'success'

Hampshire County Council's local tracing service that was introduced in December now has coverage of the whole area - with tracers reaching more than 85 per cent of people.

The regional scheme takes over from the national test and trace service if it fails to get hold of those who have come into contact with a Covid-19 positive person within 24 hours to advise them to self-isolate.

Council leader and local outbreak engagement board chairman, Councillor Keith Mans, explained the importance of the system.

He said: 'Providing residents with access to prompt and convenient testing, and ensuring their close contacts are traced and supported to isolate, is crucial for breaking the chain of infection and preventing further spread of the virus.

'Since December, we have been rolling out our local tracing operation and now have coverage across the entire county, with the percentage of calls being answered successfully above the recommended national target (85 per cent), and information and advice being given on self-isolation and the support available.

'The local tracing service is therefore playing a vital role in protecting our communities.'

As reported Portsmouth was one of the first areas in the south east of England to launch a local contact trace service back in November.

It was thought that having access to extra contact details through the council tax register - as well as using a local phone number - would be a more successful way of getting hold of people.

This has now proved accurate with tracers in the city reaching 25 per cent of the most difficult cases, meaning overall 86 per cent of cases in Portsmouth are contacted.

SEE ALSO: This is what a trip to Portsmouth’s mass vaccination centre will look like

And in a recent report by public health director Helen Atkinson it showed Portsmouth's contact trace service was seeing increasing demand.

The report said: 'The local contact tracing service is getting better established. Between November 4 and December 22, there were 467 cases referred to the service, with an average of 67 weekly referrals.

'Weekly referrals have risen substantially since the beginning of January, and we are now receiving around 40 new cases per day. We are seeking to expand the staff team to manage the increase in demand.'

The Portsmouth team is also working with voluntary hub the Hive to follow up cases involving people aged over 70 who they cannot contact over the phone, with volunteers visiting homes to ensure they are able to self-isolate and to provide support.

The phone number used by the Hampshire contact trace service is 01962 826982 and the Portsmouth one is 023 9268 7000.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news online - as well as fewer adverts, access to our digital edition and mobile app.

Our trial offer starts at just £2 a month for the first two months.