Council to contact trace all positive Covid cases in York
Over 90 per cent of coronavirus cases in the city are currently contacted.
City of York Council will now do all local contact tracing of residents who have tested positive for Covid-19.
The council has been working with the national test and trace system so that it can fully take over the service.
York has been running its own local contact tracing system over the past five months - to contact people in the city that the national service failed to reach.
Over 90 per cent of coronavirus cases in the city are currently contacted.
Previously the national test and trace system tried to call in the first 24 hours - and if they were unsuccessful, they would then pass the details to local contact tracers to support.
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council said: “Today’s announcement follows the hard work of our public health team to speak to and support residents who have tested positive in the city, following lobbying efforts from the city’s Outbreak Management Advisory Board.
“People who are contacted will be advised to isolate, and then one of our public health team members will be in contact to discuss support available to them, as well as the details of their close contacts, so this can then be followed up by national test and trace service.
“Our local contact tracing service has already had great success in the city, so it is welcome that we can now get going with contacting all positive cases to check they are ok, offer support and ultimately, help stop the spread of the virus.”
Sharon Stoltz, Director of Public Health at City of York Council said: “This is exciting news and will mean our highly skilled team can speak to all positive cases and provide the necessary help, whilst identifying close contacts. It also means we can contact people quickly after the test result.
“The service runs seven days a week, with residents being contacted using a local (01904) phone number. Text messages will also be sent to people with mobile phones telling them to expect a call. If this is still unsuccessful, then a home visit will be made, and if no-one is at home, a letter with details of how to contact the team will be delivered to those advised to isolate, following Covid-19 guidelines.
“Please pick up the phone if we get in touch. Our tracers prioritise people’s wellbeing and ensuring they can access any necessary local support. We are hugely grateful to everyone following the guidance and self-isolating when necessary. It does make a difference and save lives and why it is so important to let them know about the local support available as well as identify close contacts to stop the virus from spreading.”