Residents urged to stick to advice as new Coronavirus Test and Trace service launched

If you experience COVID-19 symptoms self-isolate and arrange a test immediately.

Residents are being urged to follow advice as a new COVID-19 Test and Trace service is launched by the Government today.

As from 9am today, people who are known to have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, will be contacted and “instructed” to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of whether they have any symptoms.

The move comes as the country strives to contain the virus as the “lock-down” is eased.

How NHS Test and Trace will work for someone with COVID-19 symptoms:

• ISOLATE: As soon as you experience COVID-19 symptoms, you should self-isolate for at least 7 days. Anyone else in your household should self-isolate for 14 days from when you started having symptoms; 

• TEST: You should arrange a COVID-19 test immediately; 

• SHARE CONTACTS : If you test positive for coronavirus, the NHS Test and Trace service will send you a text or email alert or call you within 24 hours with instructions of how to share details of people you have been in recent close contact with and places you have visited; 

• TRACE: People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus. 

As part of the drive to contain the virus, Staffordshire County Council will take a lead role in managing any outbreaks in the county such as in care homes, schools or businesses.

Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health Care and Wellbeing, said:

The Council and everyone who lives, works or visits Staffordshire has a huge role to play in containing this virus.

As restrictions start to be lifted, it is as important as ever that we follow the advice on hand washing and social distancing if we are going to prevent a second peak of infections.

If you are contacted by the new Test and Trace service please do as they ask and self-isolate for 14 days.

This is about protecting yourself, your family, and the wider community – and avoiding a second peak and further “lock-down” restrictions.

There are still difficult times ahead as we balance easing “lock-down” with trying to contain the virus, but as always we will get through this together in Staffordshire.”