Buckinghamshire launches local COVID-19 contact tracing service

In partnership with the NHS Test and Trace service, Buckinghamshire’s local contact tracing team will be contacting people that the national service is unable to reach. It is designed to complement the national service and will further help to keep the residents of Buckinghamshire safe from the coronavirus.

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 may receive a phone call from our dedicated number – 01296 585 167. Trained call handlers will remind them that they must self-isolate for ten days and talk through how to access local support when isolating. They will ask for details of their close contacts so these can be followed up by the NHS Test and Trace team.

Where Buckinghamshire call handlers are still unable to make contact, trained staff will visit people at home and deliver letters explaining why the council is trying to get in touch. They will ask people to call the local contact tracing team on 01296 585 167.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “Our local contact tracing service provides another layer of support to help control COVID-19 in Buckinghamshire. If we contact you, a locally based person will be on the other end of the phone. They will talk to you about what you need to do to protect your friends and family whilst isolating, and about what support is available nearby.

"The overall aim is simple – to limit the transmission of COVID-19. By isolating when you have symptoms, getting a test, picking up the phone when we call and providing details of your close contacts, we will give ourselves an even better chance to stop the spread.”

The service will initially run seven days a week with calls coming from the dedicated number 01296 585 167 so that you know it is the Council that is calling. Text messages will also be sent to people with a mobile phone, so they know to expect a call.

Residents are reminded that we will never ask:

for bank account details, passwords or PIN numbers

for payment or to buy a product

to download any software

to call a premium rate number

Remember if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 - stay at home, answer the phone and stop the spread.