A MULTI-million pound scheme to track and trace coronavirus is being rolled out across the region.
Earlier this year eleven areas were selected to identify and contain outbreaks locally as part of a £300million government initiative.
Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council, Solihull Borough Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority have been chosen to work with national leaders to develop and test outbreak control plans at a local level.
It includes taking steps to control the spread of Covid 19 by identifying local outbreaks, contacting those potentially affected and containing and reducing the spread of the infection.
And to control the outbreak, those who show symptoms – including persistent cough, high temperature or a change in sense of smell or taste – are urged to isolate immediately and book a test from NHS Track and Trace.
Those who test positive will then be contacted for further details including whether support is needing during isolation and contact details of people they have been around.
Warwickshire County Council leader Izzi Seccombe said: “The plans set out how vulnerable people will be supported when asked to self-isolate, as well as identifying how we will manage complex cases in particularly institutional settings, high-risk places, locations and communities. These settings include our care homes, schools and workplaces, but also there will be a key focus on some of our most vulnerable communities.
“A Covid 19 Health Protection Board has been created between local partner agencies and this will lead the implementation of our outbreak plans and monitor the impact of our efforts. By leading on this next phase of the response, our residents are benefiting from our combined approach to early identification, rapid testing, tracing and a data targeted approach.
“This in turn will help us to reduce the spread of the virus and protect our residents against increased transmission. It is a huge step for the region.”
Coventry City Council leader George Duggins said: “Test and Trace is part of a much bigger programme of work, looking at how to prevent transmission, while other work is ongoing, looking at overall recovery and how we can tackle some of the wider issues that Covid 19 has had an impact upon, and which have a critical impact on health and well-being.
“We will help localise the national contract tracing work to ensure it is relevant for the city and we will work closely with our key stakeholders.”
Solihull Council leader Ian Courts said: “An effective test and trace regime is key to our economic recovery plans as well as underpinning any attempt for us to return to some measure of normality. The pandemic has knocked society completely off balance. It has affected all areas of our lives.
“Maintaining social distancing, taking the right steps to get tested if we get symptoms and self-isolating if we are advised to do so, will be key to getting on top of coronavirus and returning to normal.
“Through this programme we also want to make sure that we monitor any signs that rates are increasing and take rapid steps to manage outbreaks where we find them.”
Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19 for more information.
