UK Covid Test and Trace system records worst ever week

NHS Test and Trace has recorded its worst ever week for contact tracing, new figures reveal.

Only 62.6 per cent of close contacts of people who tested positive for the virus in England were reached through the system in the week ending 7 October.

This is the lowest weekly percentage since Test and Trace began, and is down from 69.5 per cent in the previous week, data shows.

For cases handled by local health protection teams, 97.7 per cent of contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate in the week to 7 October.

But for cases handled either online or by call centres, only 57.6 per cent of close contacts were reached and asked to self-isolate.