Oxfordshire Councils have come together to launch a new local contact tracing system to help locate people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Oxfordshire County Council and the county’s five District Councils, including Cherwell District Council, will work to contact individuals who are required to self-isolate in an effort to help stop the spread of coronavirus in our area. Importantly, this local system will not replace NHS test and trace, which continues to reach the majority of cases, rather the local scheme will provide another layer of additional support by contacting people in Oxfordshire that NHS test and trace has been unable to reach.
The service will run seven days a week and calls will come from the council using a local (01865) phone number. Where local call handlers are still unable to contact people, trained council staff will visit cases at home and deliver letters, explaining why the council is trying to get in touch and asking them to contact the call centre.
Local Councils have been part of the frontline supporting individuals, communities, businesses, and local groups affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is another example of how they continue to step up on behalf of their residents.
