Tracking down COVID contacts is a vital part of the effort to reduce the spread of the virus, and now local public health chiefs have a new weapon – a local contact tracing team.
The team, which launched fully at the end of last week, pick-up contact tracing for our area when the NHS Test and Trace centre cannot get in touch with contacts in North East Lincolnshire.
Speaking after the launch of the team, Councillor Philip Jackson, Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “The new contact tracing team at the Council will pick up any contacts that the national team cannot get in touch with, helping to ensure that people who need to self-isolate are informed.
“If people are told to self-isolate early after being in close contact with someone who has the virus, the spread of the virus is then limited.
“It’s very important that people follow the guidance and do actually self-isolate when told to do so, even if they feel fine and don’t think that they have the virus.”
The team receive contact information from the NHS test and trace team, and then make efforts to get in touch with contacts, completing a questionnaire with them and giving out relevant guidance.
Since starting last Thursday morning, the team has already managed to get in touch with a number of local people who have been identified as close contacts.
As more contact details come through, it is expected that their work could have a significant impact on the spread of the virus in our area.
Calls from the local contact tracing team will come from 01472 313131. The contact tracing team will never ask you for bank details or require you to hand over any money.
If you are contacted by the national test and trace team or the local contact tracing team, and advised to self-isolate, you must comply with the guidance.
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