Conservative led Wiltshire Council has launched its local COVID-19 contact tracing partnership, with the aim of contacting positive cases quickly and slowing the spread of the virus.
The council's local service will support the NHS Test and Trace service and it will step in should the national team be unable to reach a person in Wiltshire who has tested positive for COVID-19.
If the national contact tracers are unable to reach a positive local case they will pass on the relevant details to Wiltshire Council and they will use local methods to make contact. The council will send a text message to the positive case first, and then follow this up with phone calls. It is a legal requirement for people to self-isolate when they receive a positive COVID-19 test result.
If people are contacted by 0300 456 0100 they are urged to pick up as this will be Wiltshire's contact tracers looking to pass on information and advice as well as establish any close contacts of the positive cases to ensure they too also self-isolate. People are asked to save the phone number in their phone's contact list so that they know immediately who is trying to reach them. The council's local tracing team is made up of members of its public health service.
Wiltshire Council Director of Public Health, Kate Blackburn, said: "We're pleased to be able to provide a more local approach to test and tracing and we're confident this will have a positive impact in our fight against COVID-19.
"If our local team tries to make contact we urge everyone to answer the call. Our aim is to slow the spread of the virus and break the chain of infection. With everyone's support we can get through this pandemic as quickly as possible, and that means people playing their part by following the guidance and self-isolating when they are required to."
People should self-isolate if:
- They develop symptoms
- They have tested positive for COVID-19
- They are getting a test because they have symptoms. This person and anyone they live with must stay at home (self-isolate) until they get their result. Anyone in their support bubble must also self-isolate until they get your result.
- Someone in their support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
- They're told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app. It is now a legal requirement to do so
- They arrive in the UK from a country with a high COVID-19 risk.
For more information on symptoms and how to book a test people should visit: NHS: Coronavirus (COVID-19). Testing is available seven days a week, including weekends.
If people need to go out, they should
- Wash hands - keep washing hands regularly for 20 seconds
- Cover face - wear a face covering over the nose and mouth in enclosed spaces
Make space -stay at least 2 metres away from people not in their household.
