Tracing failures shows Hancock needs to overhaul test and trace

Responding to figures released showing that the Test and Trace system has had its lowest weekly figure since the scheme began, with less than 60% of people in England reached in the week ending 14 October, Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care spokesperson Munira Wilson said:

We already knew that national contact tracing is an utter disaster - but it has now reached rock bottom. The figures released today show the test and trace system has had the lowest weekly figure of contacts traced since the scheme began back in March, not to mention the fact they're being forced to draft in untrained staff to cope with the level of rising cases.

How can the Health Secretary allow this to happen on his watch? The test, trace and isolate system is crucial for not only slowing the spread of this virus, but for us to have any hope of ever getting out of these restrictions.

The Health Secretary must come to Parliament urgently to explain what this Government will do to overhaul their shambolic test, trace and isolate system.

Tests need to be turned around in 24 hours, tracing needs to be led by experts in local authorities, and people need more practical and financial support to isolate. Otherwise, this virus will continue to threaten lives and livelihoods as a direct result of this Government's incompetence.