An enhanced Covid-19 contract tracing service has been launched in Greenwich, with the area chosen as part of a national pilot programme.

Run by Greenwich Council, the new contract tracing service is officially operating as of April 6.

It will see all confirmed positive cases of the virus, identified through testing sites across the borough, fully tracked down with the aim of minimising spread.

Previously contact was made by the NHS Test and Trace team. Now the Council will make contact and on the same day the case is entered into the national NHS Test and Trace system.

Once our team is alerted that someone has tested positive (usually within an hour) they will contact the resident to discuss who they have been in contact with, provide well-needed information and the support available.

London coronavirus testing - PA Wire

London coronavirus testing - PA Wire

It also means that we can use local knowledge to find out where residents may have caught the virus and manage any local outbreaks.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said: “I am proud of the work we are doing to support our residents through the pandemic. In particular, the Customer Contact Centre and our Welfare Rights teams working together to contact more residents who have tested positive and quicker.

London coronavirus vaccination programme - PA Wire

London coronavirus vaccination programme - PA Wire

“It’s also a great example of our partnership work with Charlton Athletic Community Trust, commissioned by the Council to run the Community Hub and NHS Test & Trace to keep Royal Greenwich safe.”

The Royal Borough of Greenwich is 1 of 17 London authorities taking part in this pilot known as ‘Local-0’, whilst local authorities across England have also been chosen.

The overarching aim nationally is to reach over 90% of all cases.

This enhanced service does not include the contacts of cases – these will still be actioned by the NHS Test and Trace Service team.