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04
Nov 2020
Harrogate district to get local test and trace system
The Harrogate district will be part of a local test and trace system operating in North Yorkshire from next week.
It comes amid reports the current national programme for test and trace is only managing to reach about 60% of those who have come into close contact with a positive case.
Dr Victoria Turner, a public health consultant for North Yorkshire County Council, revealed the news this morning at a briefing by North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, which is a partnership of organisations that responds to emergencies. She said:
If the national test and trace system is unable to reach someone they will hand the case to the local team.
Calls will be carried out by trained staff at North Yorkshire County Council's headquarters in Northallerton seven days a week.
Dr Turner expects more people will engage with tracing if calls are made from a local number.
Read more:
- Harrogate Hospital reports another coronavirus death
- 1,300 coronavirus cases in Harrogate district in October
- North Yorkshire covid tests taking ‘far too long’
The local call centre will also be able to signpost people to local support groups.
Richard Flinton, chief executive officer at North Yorkshire County Council, called on the community to pull together ahead of tomorrow's lockdown:
Coronavirus in numbers
The briefing revealed there are currently 15 coronavirus patients at Harrogate District Hospital — down one from last week.
The full-time testing site in Harrogate is testing about 150 people a day, which is about half of its full capacity.
The Harrogate district currently has a seven-day average infection rate of 252 cases per 100,000 people — higher than the national average of 225.
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