Wirral residents are set to benefit from an expanded ‘Test and Trace’ service, following news that the Government has given the council £2.7 million.
The grant is part of £300 million pledged nationally last month.
Councillor Kathy Hodson (Conservative, Heswall Ward) said: “Councils like Wirral are central to supporting the new test and trace service and this extra £2.7 million means we can develop tailored outbreak control plans, working with our local NHS.
“Wirral Council has now received almost £100 million extra to support our Borough at this time.”
“Our council’s directors are working on plans that will focus on identifying and containing potential outbreaks in places such as workplaces, housing complexes, care homes and schools.
“As part of this work, Wirral Council will also need to ensure testing capacity is deployed effectively to high-risk locations. This extra cash means we can crack on.”
Data on the virus’s spread will be shared with councils through the new Joint Biosecurity Centre to help local outbreak planning, so teams understand how the virus is moving, working with national government where necessary to access the testing and tracing capabilities of the new service.
Local communities, organisations and individuals will also be encouraged to follow government guidance and assist those self-isolating in their area who need help. This will include encouraging neighbours to offer support and identifying and working with relevant community groups.
Health Minister, Nadine Dorries, added: “Local authorities will be vital in the effort to contain COVID-19 at a community level. The pandemic requires a national effort but that will only be effective as a result of local authorities, working hand in hand with Public Health England and contact tracers to focus on the containment of local outbreaks, in order to control the transmission and the spread of the virus.”
Work will be led by local authority leaders and local directors of public health in charge of planning, and will build on their work to date to respond to coronavirus locally. They will operate in close partnership with local hospitals, GP practices, businesses, religious groups, schools and charities.
