Preston City Council will start making home visits as part of an increased involvement in the national track and trace system.

The council will be reaching out to residents in the city who have either tested positive for coronavirus or been in contact with someone who has the virus.

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Residents who have been identified as “contacts” by someone who has tested positive, and who have not been reached by the national system will be contacted by phone, text message and then email by a member of Preston City Council staff. 

If residents can’t be reached by these means, members of staff carrying valid Preston City Council ID badges will make home visits.

The council staff will advise of the need to self-isolate in line with national guidelines, and encourage affected residents to get tested.

Read more: Coronavirus testing site closes in Fulwood as new facility opens in Walton-le-Dale

Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council, said: “Track and trace is vital in the fight against coronavirus. It is imperative that anybody who is contacted by the NHS or council follows instructions and self-isolates for the designated time period to help stop the spread of the virus.

“We believe that adding our local knowledge and resource to the track and trace efforts will lead to a more effective system and help reach more people, aiding our efforts to stop the virus.”

“Support and guidance is on hand through our community hub – Preston Together – to support vulnerable people who have been asked to self-isolate.

“We’re extremely grateful to the efforts and sacrifices of everyone in the city to help us fight the virus. However, it is not over yet and we all need to do our best to avoid being a contact by washing hands, wearing face coverings and maintaining distance in public.”

The council will use information from Public Health England to get in touch with residents to ask them to self-isolate. Staff will also ask residents for information about their recent activity and people they have been in contact with, as well as providing support and guidance.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

What do you think of the council’s involvement in track and trace? Let us know in the comments.