Step-by-step contact tracing

The government hopes the NHS app can replace traditional contact tracing, but in most cases public health experts believe human contract tracers will have to be employed.

1

People with symptoms or a positive test will be referred by their GP or other healthcare workers to the contact Tracing team.

2

They will get a call from a contact tracer and will be asked who they have been physically close to over the last day or two.

3

Everyone on the list should be contacted and advised to self-isolate for seven days. Each one will be asked to call the team if they have any symptoms. If they do, their contacts will be tracked in turn and asked to isolate.

4

The person who is ill or has symptoms should get a call every couple of days from the contact Tracing team, who will support them and check to ensure they are getting better.

5

Anyone vulnerable in the house – an elderly person or someone with underlying health issues such as a heart condition – may be offered to quarantine in a hotel if they cannot separate themselves completely from the person who is ill.

The government hopes the NHS app can replace traditional contact tracing, but in most cases public health experts believe human contract tracers will have to be employed.

2

They will get a call from a contact tracer and will be asked who they have been physically close to over the last day or two.

1

People with symptoms or a positive test will be referred by their GP or other healthcare workers to the contact Tracing team.

Physically close would mean visiting friends or relatives or at work. Generally close contact means within 2 metres for at least 15 minutes

3

Everyone on the list should be contacted and advised to self-isolate for seven days. Each one will be asked to call the team if they have any symptoms. If they do, their contacts will be tracked in turn and asked to isolate.

4

The person who is ill or has symptoms should get a call every couple of days from the contact Tracing team, who will support them and check to ensure they are getting better.

5

Anyone vulnerable in the house – an elderly person or someone with underlying health issues such as a heart condition – may be offered to quarantine in a hotel if they cannot separate themselves completely from the person who is ill.