Fears over our ailing Covid-19 test and trace system deepened yesterday as it emerged it has failed to contact 24% of those with a positive result.
Figures show 5,062 confirmed cases from May 28 to June 17 that were transferred to the call centre-based scheme – still missing its vital app – were not reached.
Shadow Health Minister Justin Madders said the revelation raises “major concerns”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson had vowed a “world-beating” test and trace system would be in place by the beginning of this month.
And Health Secretary Matt Hancock promised an app essential to the scheme would be in action by the middle of May.
But the original version of the NHSX app, which £12million had been poured into, was scrapped last week after flunking a trial.
Mr Madders said: “To have a quarter of those who test positive not contacted three weeks into the ‘world-beating’ system is not good enough and needs to be addressed.
“Expert opinion shows to defeat this virus we need a fully functioning test and trace system, so these figures raise major concerns the week before lockdown measures are eased further – especially without a working app.”
The 24% includes people the service could not reach as there was no response to text, email and call reminders. It also takes in those reached but who refused to give details of close contacts. Another 681, 3% of the total, did not provide contact details when tested.
In total, 20,968 people who tested positive in England had their case transferred to the system during the first three weeks of its operation, Department of Health figures show.
Of these, 15,225 (73%) were reached and asked to give details of contacts.
Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, also branded the figures “concerning”. He said: “Those testing positive have a responsibility to help halt its transmission and protect those most at risk.”
Mr Hancock has refused to put a date on when a working app will be available. He said on Wednesday: “The app is progressing and we will launch it when the time is right.”
The SAGE advisory group was urging an increase in test and trace using a call centre system similar to the one in place now as early as February.
In a development on testing, six walk-in centres will be trialled in Newcastle, Rochdale, Leeds, Slough, and Brent and Newham in London. Sites are not confirmed – but one is understood to be at a basketball court.
And there are reports they will use empty shops and car parks. The PM’s spokesman said: “We want to ensure testing is available in places which are accessible and work for the public.”
It comes as surgeons called for access to same-day testing. The Royal College of Surgeons of England said a million people were waiting more than 18 weeks for hospital treatment.
A survey found 32.5% of surgeons said elective or planned ops had not been possible in the past four weeks. And 33.4% of those blamed a lack of same-day Covid-19 tests for patients.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health revealed two billion PPE items have now been delivered to the NHS front line since the pandemic started.
Mr Hancock said: “It is thanks to the herculean effort from UK industry, the NHS, our diplomatic teams abroad, and the armed forces that we have hit this milestone.”
