Re-assurance as test and trace launches in Fife

Fifers have been re-assured over calls which form a key part of the Scottish Government’s trace, trace and isolate bid as part of its coronavirus strategy.

It ha gone live across the country in a bid to suppress the virus.

Now, Jenny Gilruth, MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, has moved to re-assure locals who may be contacted.

Anyone who experiences any one of the symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – must immediately self-isolate for a minimum of seven days and ask for a test.

When contacting individuals who have tested positive, contact tracers will ask people to identify others who they’ve been in close contact with and places they’ve been 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms up until the time they’ve self-isolated. This information will then be inputted into contact tracing software and used to identify and contact those identified.

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/lifestyle/food-and-drink/fife-pubs-look-ahead-reopening-what-changes-will-you-see-2873233

https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/news/people/mcdonalds-starts-re-open-restaurants-fife-2872502

The positive individual will not be named to retain patient confidentiality - unless they agree to have their details disclosed to help the contact tracing process.

Ms Gllruth said: “I understand that people may be worried about the risks of potential phone scams, but the NHS already has a number of protections in place to stop potential fraudsters and ensure all information is kept confidential.

“Contact tracers will introduce themselves, state the reason for their call, and will always identify who they are calling by name. They will not ask for information about bank accounts or medical records, and they will not try to sell you anything.

“The tracers will be supported by software which builds on a tried and trusted platform, allowing teams to identify outbreaks and reduce transmission for high risk groups here in Mid Fife and Glenrothes.

“Trace and Protect is one way we will tackle this pandemic, but physical distancing and good hand hygiene continues to play a huge role as minimise the spread of infection.”

That message was also backed up by Annabelle Ewing MSP for Cowdenbeath.

She welcomed the Scottish Government’s approach and added: “Test and Protect will help us gradually change the restrictions that help to suppress COVID-19 so society can adapt to a new normal and I am pleased that after a successful pilot project here in Fife, it has now gone live across the country.

www.nhsinform.scot

Call 0800 028 2816 to arrange to get tested.