Nearly 240 people required to self isolate in Wiltshire not reached by tracers
Data has been released by the Department for Health and Social care.
Fewer than four in five close contacts of people with coronavirus in Wiltshire were reached through the test and trace scheme between May 28th and September 9th.
A total of 808 people were identified by tracers as in need of self isolating, after coming into recent contact with one of the 359 in the county who tested positive for Covid-19.
These were referred to as "non-complex" cases as they could be contacted through the phone or online.
But the figures reveal just 71% of those were able to be contacted by tracers over the period, meaning 236 people did not acknowledge they also needed to self-isolate.
The DHSC says a close contact is not reached when there is no response to text, email or call reminders, or when their communication details were not available.
Across England 64% of non-complex close contacts were told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace in the latest week to September 9th.
Saffron Cordery, chief executive of NHS Providers, said this falls "well short" of SAGE's 80% target:
“Trust leaders are increasingly concerned with the current testing shortages impacting on NHS service recovery and winter preparations due to staff and their family members being unable to access a test.
Additionally, with the number of positive Covid-19 cases increasing, but a reduction in the proportion being contact traced, we are looking at renewed pressure on the NHS."
NEW RULES
Under new rules, from September 28 people in England will legally have to self-isolate for 14 days if they test positive for coronavirus, or they are instructed to do by NHS Test and Trace.
Fines for non-compliance will start at £1,000, rising to £10,000 for repeat offenders, while people on benefits will be eligible for a one-off support payment of £500 if they face a loss of earnings as a result of having to quarantine.