The new NHS Test and Trace service launched yesterday (Thursday 28th May) across

England, with Surrey being selected as one of the first counties to lead on the new

programme. New guidance means those who have been in close contact with someone

who tests positive must isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms.

NHS Test and Trace brings together 4 tools to control the virus:

a) Test: increasing availability and speed of testing will underpin NHS Test and Trace.

b) Trace: when someone tests positive for coronavirus the NHS Test and Trace service

will use dedicated contact tracing staff, online services and local public health experts

to identify any close recent contacts they’ve had and alert those most at risk of having

the virus who need to self-isolate. This will be complemented by the rollout of the NHS

COVID-19 App in the coming weeks.

c) Contain: a national Joint Biosecurity Centre will work with local authorities and

public health teams in Public Health England (PHE), including local Directors of Public

Health, to identify localised outbreaks and support effective local responses, including

plans to quickly deploy testing facilities to particular locations. Local authorities have

been supported by £300 million of new funding to help local authorities develop their

own local outbreak control plans.

d) Enable: government to learn more about the virus, including as the science

develops, to explore how we could go further in easing infection control measures.

The NHS Test and Trace service, including 25,000 dedicated contact tracing staff

working with Public Health England, will have the capacity to trace the contacts of

10,000 people who test positive for coronavirus per day and can be scaled up if

needed.

Police forces across England are warning people to be aware of potential scams linked

to the NHS test and trace operation. Officers say if NHS staff call you by phone, the

service will be using a single number: 0300 0135 000. The only website staff will ask

you to visit is the official NHS and Public Health England page at https://contacttracingphe.gov.uk/.

Contact tracers will never ask for you to:

· Dial a premium rate number (e.g. those starting 09 or 087)

· Make any form of payment

· Provide your bank account details

· Supply any social media identities or details

· Tell them any passwords or PINs, or ask you to set up any

· Purchase a product

· Download software or ask you to hand over control of your device

· Access any non-government or non-NHS website