A QUARTER of Brits who tested positive for coronavirus could not be reached by the NHS contact tracing service.
New official data shows that in the first two weeks, 14,045 people with Covid-19 were transferred to NHS Track and Trace.
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But trackers were unable to get hold of 24 per cent to find out who they had come into recent contact with, so they could be told to self-isolate.
A further 418 people who tested positive for Covid-19 during the two-week period could not be reached because their communication details were not provided.
Trackers were able to identify a total of 96,746 people as close contacts of a Covid-19 cases since the service was rolled out on May 28.
But the latest data published today also showed that one in 10 were missed or refused to comply.
Only 87,639 were reached and advised to self-isolate, meaning nine per cent were missed or refused to comply.
The Department of Health and Social Care said some contacts who had been reached under the Test and Trace system had not agreed to self-isolate, despite having been in close contact with somebody who had tested positive for Covid-19.
There were also some contacts the system had been unable to reach, either because no contact details had been provided or they had not responded to text, email and call reminders.
More engagement
That’s despite a growing number of Covid-struck Brits engaging with the contact tracing service, the latest figures show.
Three in four positive cases handed over email or mobile phone details of their close contacts.
Trackers tried to quiz 5,949 infected Brits about their movements between June 4 and 10, with 4,366 playing ball.
However, the number of cases referred to the service has fallen as infections continue to drop across the country.
Baroness Dido Harding, who heads the programme, said: “NHS Test and Trace is working to stop the spread of coronavirus and undoubtedly helping to save lives.
“Building on our previous work, this week’s data shows that tens of thousands more people who may have otherwise unwittingly spread the virus are now remaining safely at home.
Tens of thousands more people who may have otherwise unwittingly spread the virus are now remaining safely at home
Baroness Dido Harding
“Our efforts continue to reach more people who may be at risk of passing the virus on, and I am grateful for the support the public has already shown to protect those around them.
“We continue to rely on everyone to play their part and we urge those with symptoms to book a test immediately, and those contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service to follow the advice they receive.”
Teething problems
It comes after last week’s figures sparked concern as they showed a third of people who tested positive for coronavirus could not be reached by officials or failed to provide details of their contacts.
Baroness Harding admitted last Thursday that it was not yet “gold standard” but was “fit for purpose”.
Ministers have continued to stress its importance in reducing and eventually ending social distancing measures.
Speaking at a Downing Street briefing last week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock, reminded the public it is “your civic duty” to take part in the programme.
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He said: “You have your part to play, you must isolate and get a test.
“You must work with test and trace to identify who you have been in contact with and if you are asked to isolate you must do so.
“I would even go so far as to say that participation with Test and Trace is your civic duty. Please do it to protect your loved ones, your community, to protect your nation and to protect the NHS.”
‘Critical failures’
Meanwhile a group of independent experts formed to monitor the Government’s coronavirus response has called on ministers to reveal the scientific basis behind the Covid-19 Test and Trace system.
A new report from the Independent Sage body said that lives are at risk from a system that “will not work”.
The group insisted that it was “impossible” to realise the goal of reaching 80 per cent of contacts under the Government’s current Test and Trace plan which contains “critical failures”, according to the study.
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The report said the easing of lockdown was “premature” while evidence shows the pandemic “is still growing without a functioning tracing system in place”.
The group was set up over concerns voiced by some experts that there is not enough transparency around the scientific advice feeding into government.
Ministers have relied heavily on the official Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (Sage) during the crisis.
