Test and Trace hits 84% success rate after weeks of failure to meet target

3 September 2020, 10:17 | Updated: 3 September 2020, 10:19

The Test and Trace system has hit above its 80% target
The Test and Trace system has hit above its 80% target. Picture: PA Images
Ewan Quayle

By Ewan Quayle

The success rate for contacting Covid-19 patients through the Test and Trace system has hit 84 per cent after weeks of failure to meet its own target.

The new figure was announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock while speaking with LBC's Nick Ferrari, and he hit back at criticism being directed at the system and celebrated the new figure - which is above the recommended target.

He told LBC: "The number of people - when they tell us who they've been in contact with - we've now managed to get in contact with 84 per cent of them and the standard we were asked to meet was 80 per cent.

"The contact tracing system is working - it can always improve and it's important that we keep working to improve it - but it is working effectively to keep the virus under control," he added.

"The combination of the Test and Trace system, the social distancing people are doing and the quarantine rules are at the moment keep the number of cases in this country flat."

Hancock announces £500m package for super fast Covid test

Hailing the new found success of the system, Mr Hancock also announced a £500 million funding package for a new test that can deliver a result in just 20-minutes.

"There are new technologies that are coming down the track, so we can not only much more easily test people who might have symptoms or who we think might has the virus.

"But also we want to roll it out much more broadly - mass testing - to give people the confidence that if they test negative they can then go about their normal business."

It follows months of failure to meet the 80 per cent target experts say is required to keep the community spread of the virus under control.

The system came under fire when it was revealed that hundreds of contact tracers, who had been employed for weeks, were yet to make a single phone call to a person who tested positive for Covid-19 or their contacts.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said he is aiming for mass testing
Health secretary Matt Hancock said he is aiming for mass testing. Picture: PA Images

It signals a shift in strategy from the Government towards mass testing - a method that was dismissed earlier on in the pandemic.

Mr Hancock added: "Over the last few month we've massively expanded the amount of coronavirus testing as.a country, and now have one of the biggest testing programmes in the world - but I am not satisfied with that.

Read more: Covid-19 carriers 'aren't giving contacts to Test and Trace over fears of financial difficulty'

"We know that other than social distancing, testing is one our primary defences against he virus virus, it's one of our big lines of defence - to find the people who are positive and for them to isolate an their contacts to isolate so that we stop the spread of the virus."

There are also concerns over the number of people following the two week self-isolation period due to financial hardship.

A new Government scheme in Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle, and Oldham is helping pay towards missed wages while they are asked to stay indoors, and is expected to be further rolled out if the trial is a success.

You can watch Matt Hancock's full interview with LBC below.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock speaks to LBC

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The sci-fi juggernaut, which follows a group of friends who tackle supernatural forces in Indiana, debuted in 2016 and has gripped audiences across four seasons so far.

Tears and terror: First trailer drops for final season of Stranger Things

Audun Groenvold has died after a lightning strike.

Norwegian Olympic ski cross medalist Audun Groenvold dies after lightning strike

Companies House website viewed on an Ipad

11,500 companies struck off Companies House register after crackdown

Tributes have been paid to Love Actually and EastEnders star Jo Bacon.

Tributes pour in for Eastenders and Love Actually star following death aged 72

The TV chef, 59, broke his silence on Tuesday night after the show's producers Banijay UK confirmed his contract will not be renewed.

John Torode to 'take legal action' against BBC after MasterChef axing amid racism claim in Gregg Wallace report

Exclusive
All four suspended MPs voted against the bill.

Suspended Labour MP 'can't promise not to rebel again' after Keir Starmer removes whip from four backbenchers

The Obamas finally set the record straight on their marriage.

'We've had some really hard times': Barack and Michelle Obama finally address divorce rumours in shock interview

Man 38, lay dead in council toilet for six days before being found

Body of 'gentle giant', 38, lay undiscovered in council toilet for six days before he was found

Novak Djokovic (SRB) [6] during his Gentlemen's Singles Semi-Final match against Jannik Sinner (ITA)

Djokovic states aim to be oldest ever Wimbledon winner

London Southend Airport has partially reopened three days after a fatal plane crash.

London Southend Airport to partially reopen three days after deadly plane crash

Amanda Riley, 49, and Linda Philips, 72, both died on December 26 2023, following a collision in Shard End

Driver who killed mother and daughter on Boxing Day was ‘racing’ at up to 84mph in 30mph zone

Daniel Ames

'Much-loved family man' killed by reversing HGV after he offered to stay behind at work

Captain Sir Tom Moore's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Captain Tom's daughter launches TikTok rebrand as ‘resilience coach’ one year after charity controversy

As the news reporter is presenting - a huge explosion is captured erupting in the background.

Shocking moment Israeli airstrike blasts Syria military HQ on live TV as news reporter flees in terror

Luke Littler posted about failing his driving theory test on his Instagram story.

Luke Littler fails driving theory test... for the fourth time 'and counting'

Smoke billows following Israeli strikes near the Syrian army and defence ministry headquarters in Damascus.

Israel warns 'painful blows will come' as it ramps up strikes on Syria and sends more troops to the border