Hopes a new localised contact trace service in Portsmouth will help tackle the spread of Covid-19

LDRS

A new localised contact trace service that is set to make an ‘important difference’ in tackling the spread of Covid-19, has launched today in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth City Council is working with Public Health England to reach residents who have tested positive for coronavirus and need to self-isolate, if the national service has been unsuccessful.

Under the national system attempts to contact residents are scrapped after 24 hours at which point details of the case will be handed to the local contact tracing team to progress for a further 72 hours.

It is thought local knowledge and council-held information will prove key to contacting people.

Councillor Matthew Winnington, Portsmouth City Council’s health boss, said: ‘It is so important that we in Portsmouth use what we have and what we know to make sure we can contribute the best knowledge and expertise in the fight against coronavirus.

‘Where the incorrect contact numbers are recorded, or where people are unhappy responding to unfamiliar phone numbers, we feel our service can make an important difference by using accurate locally-held contact information, a local Portsmouth dial code and, importantly, those making the calls will be local people who know the city.’

As reported, recent data showed Portsmouth passed the rate of 200 new Covid-19 cases per 100,000 people in a week.

Figures for the week up the end of October 29 revealed there were 434 new cases of coronavirus – a rate of 201.9 per 100,000 people – compared to 387 cases at a rate of 180.1 per 100,000 the previous week.

Helen Atkinson, director of public health in Portsmouth, added: ‘I’m pleased we’ve been able to get our local service up and running so rapidly to help in the effort to trace residents with positive test results so they can self-isolate as soon as possible.’

The council’s contact tracing team is made up of experienced council employees, who have volunteered to undertake this new role.

If Portsmouth City Council’s team needs to make contact with any resident, it will be from the following number: 023 9268 7000, which will be seen in ‘missed calls’. Requests to call back will be left in voicemail messages.

The service will operate Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.