This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52442754

The article has changed 41 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 31 Version 32
Coronavirus: How does contact tracing work in England? Coronavirus: How does contact tracing work in England?
(about 20 hours later)
People who have been in close contact with someone found to have Covid-19 are now being traced.People who have been in close contact with someone found to have Covid-19 are now being traced.
The NHS contact tracers will ask people they get in touch with to self-isolate for a fortnight. An app is also being developed, although its launch has been delayed.The NHS contact tracers will ask people they get in touch with to self-isolate for a fortnight. An app is also being developed, although its launch has been delayed.
How does contact tracing work in England?How does contact tracing work in England?
The hope is that contact tracing will avoid the need for national lockdowns, with more local restrictions used instead.The hope is that contact tracing will avoid the need for national lockdowns, with more local restrictions used instead.
Anyone in England with coronavirus symptoms can now get a test. If it's positive you'll be contacted by text, email or phone and asked to log on to the NHS Test and Trace website.Anyone in England with coronavirus symptoms can now get a test. If it's positive you'll be contacted by text, email or phone and asked to log on to the NHS Test and Trace website.
There you will be asked for personal information including:There you will be asked for personal information including:
Close contacts are:Close contacts are:
The contact must have taken place between two days before and up to seven days after symptoms appeared.The contact must have taken place between two days before and up to seven days after symptoms appeared.
No-one contacted as a result of you testing positive for coronavirus will be told your identity.No-one contacted as a result of you testing positive for coronavirus will be told your identity.
A parent or guardian will need to give permission for a call with under-18s to continue.A parent or guardian will need to give permission for a call with under-18s to continue.
Manual tracing was meant to be launched in mid-May, in tandem with an app that would automatically alert users if they have been in contact with another user with coronavirus.Manual tracing was meant to be launched in mid-May, in tandem with an app that would automatically alert users if they have been in contact with another user with coronavirus.
The manual element launched in England on 28 May. The app is still being trialled on the Isle of Wight and hasn't been released more widely, although business minister Nadhim Zahawi suggested it would be in place by the end of June.The manual element launched in England on 28 May. The app is still being trialled on the Isle of Wight and hasn't been released more widely, although business minister Nadhim Zahawi suggested it would be in place by the end of June.
At the government's briefing on Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the government wanted to be "confident people are following the advice given by human beings" before the app was introduced.
What about other parts of the UK?What about other parts of the UK?
Northern Ireland was the first of the four UK administrations to bring in contact tracing, which is being carried out exclusively by telephone at the moment.Northern Ireland was the first of the four UK administrations to bring in contact tracing, which is being carried out exclusively by telephone at the moment.
Scotland's system is called NHS Test and Protect, and has recruited 2,000 contact tracers. It was launched as the easing of lockdown restrictions began.Scotland's system is called NHS Test and Protect, and has recruited 2,000 contact tracers. It was launched as the easing of lockdown restrictions began.
In Wales, the ''test, trace, protect'' system launched on 1 June.In Wales, the ''test, trace, protect'' system launched on 1 June.
What if I am contacted by the tracers?What if I am contacted by the tracers?
Anyone deemed at risk of infection will be told to stay at home for 14 days.Anyone deemed at risk of infection will be told to stay at home for 14 days.
You will be asked to self-isolate, even if you do not have symptoms, to stop the danger of the virus spreading.You will be asked to self-isolate, even if you do not have symptoms, to stop the danger of the virus spreading.
You should not leave your home for any reason. If you need food or medicine and live alone, you should order it online or by phone, or ask friends and family to drop it off on your doorstep.You should not leave your home for any reason. If you need food or medicine and live alone, you should order it online or by phone, or ask friends and family to drop it off on your doorstep.
If you live with other people they won't have to self-isolate, unless they also develop symptoms, but they must take extra care around you regarding social distancing and hand washing.If you live with other people they won't have to self-isolate, unless they also develop symptoms, but they must take extra care around you regarding social distancing and hand washing.
How is the tracing scheme going?How is the tracing scheme going?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said England's tracing system would be "world-beating". On launch, the government claimed the tracers could track down the contacts of 10,000 people every day.Prime Minister Boris Johnson said England's tracing system would be "world-beating". On launch, the government claimed the tracers could track down the contacts of 10,000 people every day.
There were 8,117 people testing positive referred to the scheme in its first week, but just 5,407 of those provided details of recent contacts.There were 8,117 people testing positive referred to the scheme in its first week, but just 5,407 of those provided details of recent contacts.
Those people provided 31,794 contacts, 26,985 of whom were reached and agreed to self-isolate.Those people provided 31,794 contacts, 26,985 of whom were reached and agreed to self-isolate.
The government says some people who tested positive couldn't be reached either because their contact details were unavailable or incorrect or they didn't respond to attempts to get in touch.The government says some people who tested positive couldn't be reached either because their contact details were unavailable or incorrect or they didn't respond to attempts to get in touch.
When recent contacts were given, in some cases those details were incorrect, or contacts either did not respond or refused to self-isolate.When recent contacts were given, in some cases those details were incorrect, or contacts either did not respond or refused to self-isolate.
Over three-quarters of contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate within 24 hours.Over three-quarters of contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate within 24 hours.
Baroness Dido Harding, who is leading England's track and trace system, said: "We clearly have more to do make sure we reach everyone and more to do to speed up the end to end service."Baroness Dido Harding, who is leading England's track and trace system, said: "We clearly have more to do make sure we reach everyone and more to do to speed up the end to end service."
How do I avoid scammers?How do I avoid scammers?
The NHS Test and Trace service will not ask you:The NHS Test and Trace service will not ask you:
England's Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the tracers will only be calling from 0300 0135 000.England's Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the tracers will only be calling from 0300 0135 000.
Do I have to follow the instruction to self-isolate?Do I have to follow the instruction to self-isolate?
It's currently voluntary, but the Department for Health has said that if people don't comply "we will not hesitate to introduce tougher measures, for example making visits to check they're home or issuing fines if they are found outside the house".It's currently voluntary, but the Department for Health has said that if people don't comply "we will not hesitate to introduce tougher measures, for example making visits to check they're home or issuing fines if they are found outside the house".
What about sick pay?What about sick pay?
If people can't work from home, the government says employers must ensure any self-isolating employee is receiving sick pay and give them the option to use their paid leave days if they prefer.If people can't work from home, the government says employers must ensure any self-isolating employee is receiving sick pay and give them the option to use their paid leave days if they prefer.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is £95.85 per week and paid by your employer for every day you are in isolation, as long as you meet the eligibility conditions.Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is £95.85 per week and paid by your employer for every day you are in isolation, as long as you meet the eligibility conditions.