BRADFORD has been awarded £3.87 million to make sure the NHS Test and Trace system runs smoothly in the District.

The Government money has been allocated to Bradford Council's Public Health team. and will be used to work with communities across the district.

Test and Trace is seen as a key way of preventing the spread of Covid 19 by identifying any infections and tracking who has been in contact with the infected. These people will be asked to isolate to prevent a new outbreak.

Other ways in which the additional funding will support local efforts to combat the virus include raising awareness of the continuing need for social distancing, good hand washing and hygiene, and the wearing of face coverings when using public transport and in settings such as hospitals.

It will also be used to build on existing partnerships and services to engage with and support population groups who are more vulnerable to COVID-19

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Director of Public Health at Bradford Council, Sarah Muckle, said: “For three months, we’ve all seen first-hand how people across Bradford district have come together to play their part in containing the virus – for example the local shops and businesses that reopened this week have worked hard to ensure safety and hygiene measures are in place.

“This extra money will build on these efforts, by strengthening and extending the many different ways in which we as a council are responding to the continuing challenges posed by COVID-19.

“Alongside the public health expertise we have across the district, we will ensure it is put to the best possible use to keep the virus under control.

“Work on our outbreak control plan is progressing at pace, and this will be hugely important in containing the virus if there is a cluster of cases locally.

“We already assess health data every day which enables us to pinpoint any settings where there may be a spike in cases, and take action at the earliest opportunity to contain it.”

Test and trace was introduced in England on May 28 and is seen as vital to help contain coronavirus outbreaks in communities and allow the country to continue easing out of lockdown.

The system asks people who test positive for the virus to provide details of those who they have been in close contact with.

They will then be contacted and following a short assessment may be asked to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution or sent for a test and asked to self-isolate for 7 days if they are already experiencing symptoms.

Sarah Muckle added: “The initial response by the people of Bradford to the roll-out of NHS Test and Trace has been really encouraging, and we continue to rely on everyone to play their part and follow the latest guidelines.

“If you have symptoms of the virus, please book a test immediately and if you are contacted by the tracing service, it is vital that you follow their advice.”