Since their inception in December 2020, Derby’s local contact tracing team based within the City Council has traced over 2,700 contacts, actively supporting the national effort to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.
Initially the team worked to contact those who couldn’t be traced through the National Test and Trace team but now trace all cases.
The team of six contact tracers and three team leaders currently works seven days a week following a recent rise in cases caused by the Delta variant first identified in India. But, as feedback shows, it’s about much more than just contact tracing. The team also offer advice and support to residents to help them with self-isolating and in a lot of cases, just having a chat with residents to brighten their day, as well as signposting residents to other services in the city, including the Community Hub.
“The adviser was very friendly, informative, polite, going the extra mile to obtain information on queries I have regarding isolation for me and my children”
“Thank you for making me laugh, cheered us up while being stuck in a hotel room!”
“5 stars, thank you for checking information regarding isolation and offering support. Thank you for the chat.”
More recently, the team have also advised residents about getting vaccinated and where to go to find accurate information.
Cllr Roy Webb, Cabinet Member for Adults Health and Housing commented:
“Our Contact Tracing team have shown immense dedication and enthusiasm to their roles in the last six months. The feedback from residents shows just how hard working they are and the difference they are making to people during troubling times.
As cases in the city continue to rise, it’s more important than ever that we all do the right thing for Derby by testing ourselves twice a week and self-isolating if we develop symptoms. If you develop symptoms or receive a positive rapid lateral flow test result you should book a test at your local testing site to confirm this.
If you have to self-isolate due to a positive test result but need support, please call our Community Hub team on 01332 640000 who are here to help.”