In response to the Welsh Government’s Test, Trace, Protect strategy, partners including Public Health Wales, the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and the five Local Authorities in Gwent have joined forces to establish the Gwent Contact Tracing Service which will go live on Monday June 1.

People who test positive will be contacted by the contact tracing team and asked to share details of other people they have been in close contact with, for example at home or at work.

Staff in the contact tracing service will then call all these ‘contacts’ and provide advice on what they should do. Depending on the situation, this might include:

• Isolating at home for 14 days
• Having a test for covid-19
• Daily follow-up phone calls to people in order to check for  symptoms
• Providing vulnerable people with specific advice and guidance
• Reinforcing advice on hygiene at home and in the community, and social distancing

Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Safeguarding, Councillor Penny Jones said: “Contact tracing is a tried and trusted way of limiting the spread of coronavirus in the community. 

The test, trace and protect strategy will support the people who have tested positive for Covid-19 and track the people they’ve could have transmitted the virus to through recent contact.

If we all play our part, keep social distancing and isolate when instructed, we will reduce the transmission and spread of the virus. This will be a major factor in easing lockdown restrictions and enabling the social and economic recovery in Gwent.”

Judith Paget, Chief Executive of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: “I’m pleased to see the track and trace programme launch in Gwent.  The approach will allow us to identify cases and ensure people who test positive isolate at home and their contacts are provided with the advice they need.  This will work to reduce the spread of coronavirus across Gwent.  I’m very proud of the work we’ve done so far, while I recognise there is still more to be done to protect the NHS and the people of Gwent.”

The most common symptoms of coronavirus are recent onset of one or more of the following:

• A new continuous cough
• High temperature
• Loss of or change to sense of smell or taste

You should stay at home for seven days if you have symptoms.  If you live with someone who has symptoms but are well, you should self-isolate for 14 days.

For more information please visit the Public Health Wales website: www.phw.nhs.wales/coronavirus