The Test and Trace system has failed to reach close to a third of positive cases in Barking and Dagenham, since its introduction in May, new Government figures have revealed. This is in contrast to other boroughs such as Camden, where 86% of those who have tested positive were alerted by NHS tracers.
Local London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai AM, has now written to Public Health England (PHE) to urge them to address the disparity in contact tracing performance across the capital.
In a letter to London’s regional director of PHE, Professor Kevin Fenton, Mr Desai has highlighted the need for the Track and Trace system to be properly resourced and co-ordinated on a Londonwide basis, alongside calling for the health body to take a more “sensitive” approach to local requirements.
Whilst Barking and Dagenham Council does not have oversight over the Test and Trace programme, Mr Desai has suggested that closer collaboration with local authorities could improve the current process.
Mr Desai has also requested that PHE now publishes borough-by-borough track and trace performance figures which enables weekly comparisons to be more easily made.
Last week, the trial of a new contact tracing app was rolled out across neighbouring borough, Newham.
Local London Assembly Member, Unmesh Desai AM, said:
“Test and Trace is a crucial tool in our efforts to contain a potential second wave of coronavirus, but it has had a bumpy start to put it lightly.
“We have seen the criticisms of the current system of contact tracing writ large in the headlines of national newspapers, but if you zoom in on the performance figures there are clear problems we need to address at a regional level.
“The fact that Barking and Dagenham has a lower tracing rate than many other boroughs is a significant cause for concern and is putting local people at risk.
“This is why I have written to PHE, calling upon them to urgently get a grip on the situation in the borough”.
Related documents
Unmesh Desai AM Letter to Professor Kevin Fenton
Notes to editors
- Unmesh Desai AM’s letter to London’s regional director of PHE, Professor Kevin Fenton, can be found attached;
- Figures released by the Department for Health, covering the period of the introduction of the Test and Trace system in May until 19th August, show that in Barking and Dagenham, it has been able to reach 69% of those who have tested positive for Covid-19;
- A pilot of a new contact tracing app was rolled out in Newham last week;
- Unmesh Desai AM is the London Assembly Member for City and East (covering Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and the City of London).