A decision to bring in more staff to help the ailing Test and Protect system in Scotland is a welcome move but it should never have come to this.
The Scottish Government has all the statistics available to make sure they are prepared for any situation.
Coronavirus cases across the country have been rising rapidly for several weeks now; surely they had predicted increased pressure on the tracking system?
At times the government has been accused of taking its “eye off the ball” – and it is a charge that could certainly be directed at them over the Test and Protect programme.
The system fell below the standards set by the World Health Organisation at the end of June and in early July.
In the week ending June 27 it only reached 65.1 per cent of infected people’s close contacts within 72 hours. The week following it was 73.1 per cent. The target is 80 per cent.
The system needs to be properly funded – both in terms of money and by operating to the best of its ability.
The government needs to stay on top of the Test and Protect measures if we are to move to Level 0 on July 19 and then to lift all remaining restrictions on August 9.
We also need it to be working correctly post-lockdown if we are going to stop the spread of cases or keep on top of any new variant that comes into the country.
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