UK introduces ‘Test and Trace’ model to prevent corona spread

LONDON: United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has initiated a new model to fight Covid-19 spread in the nation. The ’Test and Trace’ service has been started in Britain and Scotland is touted to be the first in the gradual steps that are to bring out Britain from the lockdown. The system will see the coronavirus positive patients being contacted by the NHS Test and Trace team and the person will have to share all their information about their recent interactions. This would include direct contact or contact within two metres for more than 15 minutes. The people who are identified would be then quarantined for 14 days, even if they don’t have any symptoms of the virus to prevent further spread. Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, UK, has said that it is essential to replace nationwide lockdown with individual lockdown and local action, if necessary. He further added that the NHS Test and Trace would be a vital measure to stop the spread in the UK, which is already one of the worst hit nation by the pandemic.

“It is how we will be able to protect our friends and family from infection, and protect our NHS. This new system will help us keep this virus under control while carefully and safely lifting the lockdown nationally,” he said. Another provision in the system includes booking test online if Covid-19 symptoms are developed in isolation.