Council launches contact tracing service

Stephen Wafer contact tracer

A team of contact tracers have been recruited by North Tyneside Council to help it in its fight against coronavirus.

 

The five new recruits joined the local authority this week and they’ll be contacting those who the national Test and Trace Service hasn’t been able to reach.

 

Their role is to phone people who have tested positive to ask for details of who they’ve been in close contact with, provide isolation advice and check if they’re okay and if they need any support.

 

Speaking about the service, Director of Public Health, Wendy Burke said: “Contact tracing is a critical tool in helping to minimise the spread of the virus and will be for months to come – and we’re pleased to be working with the national team to help provide a local response to ensure that we can reach everyone possible.

 

“It’s really important to the council that as well as gathering the information we need, we make sure the person is well, offer reassurance and check if they need any help.

 

“Our COVID-19 support hub continues to available for those who may need non-medical help, such as their shopping doing or a prescription collecting.”

 

One of the new recruits is Stephen Wafer (pictured), who previously worked in the aviation and hospitality industry, who added “Having worked within two industries that have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19, I saw this as an opportunity to join the fight against the pandemic and make a positive contribution.

 

“Working for my local council gives me the added bonus that any contribution I make will benefit my local community. 

 

“I am looking forward to being back at work and having a greater sense of purpose, making a positive difference, being able to interact with others and being part of a team.”

 

The news comes as the council also set up its own rapid community testing site recently for people without symptoms.

 

Research shows that up to a third of people with the virus don’t display any symptoms and could unwittingly pass it on to others.

 

Thousands of tests have been carried out on symptom-free workers since it began on January 18 – and a number of positive cases have been found and those people are now self-isolating at home.

 

With results back within an hour, anyone testing positive can quickly self-isolate and tell their close contacts to isolate too, helping stop community transmission.

 

Located at the Riverside Centre, North Shields, anyone who can’t work from home and comes into contact with the public is invited to be tested twice a week.

 

It’s open seven days a week and additional appointments have been released. Those taking part are asked to please book two tests per week, spaced out by around three days.

 

For more information, including FAQs and how to book, visit the council's covid alert.