Coronavirus: Is our ‘test and trace’ system ready to fight local outbreaks? – BBC Newsnight

The UK has now recorded in excess of 40,000 coronavirus related deaths since the pandemic began. To stem the virus, we will need detailed contact tracing that can fight local outbreaks, but is our ‘test and trace’ system ready?

Subscribe to our channel here: https://goo.gl/31Q53F

The number of people testing positive for coronavirus cases is now falling across the UK, but government estimates show regional variations of infection, with some areas of the country at risk from a rise in cases.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has emphasised the importance of localised lockdowns to suppress potential flare ups, but that requires detailed, pinpoint perfect information.

In some areas, the data, and the management of it, is still insufficient to the task.

UK correspondent Deborah Cohen reports.

Newsnight is the BBC’s flagship news and current affairs TV programme – with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.

Website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsnight
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsnight


About This Source - BBC Newsnight

BBC Newsnight is a programme carried by the BBC in the UK, which is described as “Comprehensive coverage of today’s important national and international news stories.”

Recent from BBC Newsnight:

Bbc newsnight’s new home on bbc news 1

BBC Newsnight’s new home on BBC News

Will the Chancellor’s Job Support Scheme curb the rise in unemployment? – BBC Newsnight

Coronavirus: Could the UK adopt a German-style jobs scheme? – BBC Newsnight

In This Story: Matt Hancock

Matt Hancock is a British Member of Parliament, who is serving as Health Secretary under Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Hancock was alleged to have been having an affair, after photographs emerged of him apparently kissing a woman at his Ministerial workplace were published by The Sun newspaper on 25 June 2021.

3 Recent Items: Matt Hancock

Key moments from Boris Johnson’s first Covid inquiry appearance

Boris Johnson set to back Matt Hancock and apologise for COVID complacency

COVID inquiry: Hancock defends allowing patients to be discharged into care homes

Leave a Comment

We don't require your email address, or your name, for anyone to leave a comment. If you do add an email address, you may be notified if there are replies to your comment - we won't use it for any other purpose. Please make respectful comments, which add value, and avoid personal attacks on others. Links are not allowed in comments - 99% of spam comments, attempt to post links. Please describe where people may find additional information - for example "visit the UN website" or "search Google for..." rather than posting a link. Comments failing to adhere to these guidelines will not be published.