Intended for healthcare professionals

News

Covid-19: How does the NHS test and trace service work?

BMJ 2020; 369 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m2174 (Published 29 May 2020) Cite this as: BMJ 2020;369:m2174
  1. Elisabeth Mahase
  1. The BMJ

After numerous calls from public health experts since national contact tracing ended in March, the UK government has reimplemented the measure for covid-19 as of 28 May. The new NHS test and trace service is part of the government’s move to ease lockdown measures and reopen parts of the economy.

How will the new system work?

When people show symptoms of covid-19 they must isolate at home, along with the rest of the household, and order a test using the www.nhs.uk/coronavirus website or by calling 119. If people with symptoms then test positive they must complete the remainder of their seven day self-isolation, and their household must complete the 14 day isolation period. However, if the test is negative no one needs to isolate.

If people do test positive the NHS test and trace service will text, email, or call them with instructions on how to share details of people they have had close contact with. This will apply to contacts made and places visited two days before and seven days since the onset of symptoms.

The tracers will contact the people to tell them that they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, but they will not provide the name or details of this person. The alert will usually come by text, email, or phone call, but they may also come by post if needed. The contacts will be told to begin self-isolation for 14 days from their last contact with the person who tested positive. The contact’s household members do not need to self-isolate but should avoid contact with …

View Full Text