Robin Swann: Test, contact and trace system ‘built for the long term’

He has also urged anyone who develops symptoms to “book a test without delay”.

Spelling out the scale of the contact tracing operation being put in place, Mr Swann said the new measures were being “built for the long term”.

He said: “The programme launched by the Public Health Agency was extended in recent weeks to cover all new cases of infection. The full service is now operational.

“My department has also now published its Test, Trace and Protect strategy, setting out our approach in detail. This is a major long-term programme, given the continuing threat from Covid-19 and the potential for local clusters and outbreaks of infection as we move out of the current phase of our response.

“We will be scaling up the current contact tracing provision to include teams recruited directly to staff the operation. This will include professionals such as nurses and environmental health officers for contact tracing with lead clinicians and health protection consultants advising on complex situations and local clusters or outbreaks. The work will be supported through the deployment of trained volunteers when required.”

Anyone with a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a change in their sense of smell or taste is asked to immediately report these symptoms and to book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus.

The tests will be available to everyone over the age of five who has Covid-19 symptoms.

Mr Swann added: “Test, Trace and Protect will help release the lockdown, keep people safe and protect our health service. Everyone has to play their part. That means getting tested early when we have symptoms, helping contact tracing by providing details of contacts, and self-isolating when advised in order to protect others.”