Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of communicating test results within 24 hours to people displaying symptoms on the effectiveness of the test and trace system to reduce the R rate of covid-19 infection; and if he will make a statement.

The Government launched NHS Test and Trace on 28 May 2020. Contact tracing begins as soon as NHS Test and Trace receive notification that someone has tested positive for COVID-19. The more rapidly people can book a free test once symptoms start and we can communicate those test results, the quicker NHS Test and Trace service can identify people who may be at risk of infection and, if necessary, tell them to self-isolate, reduce the R rate and spread of the virus, and maintain transmission at low levels.

We are tracing the contacts of thousands of positive cases, using both online services and over the phone, and we are encouraged by the progress so far. In total, since 28 May to 10 June 2020, 72.6% (10,192) of the people who tested positive for COVID-19 were reached by our contact tracers and asked to share details of their close contacts. 90.6% (87,639) of close contacts were reached and advised to self-isolate.