Test and Trace “Even Worse Than We Think”: Experts Say Missing Data Means Infections Could Be Higher

Britain’s testing and tracking system is “ getting worse ” and struggling to cope with the resurgence of the coronavirus, according to experts.

Gaps in the data make it impossible to know whether official restrictions are reducing the spread of the infection, the researchers say.

Scientists led by University College London say the gaps are clearly illustrated by their new Covid Red “data dashboard,” designed to bring together all available information on viruses.

Professor Christina Pagel, a co-developer, said: “We don’t know what percentage of people with symptoms are actually isolating themselves for the entire time period or their contacts.”

Scientists led by University College London say Britain’s test and tracking system is struggling to cope with the resurgence of the coronavirus. Pictured: NHS England Test and Trace app

He added: ‘If people aren’t isolating, then it’s just a showcase. We would like it to be collected and reported weekly. It is such an important thing.

The researchers also found that some of the best data available was two weeks ago.

They urged health authorities to prioritize real-time information to “inform and support necessary responses, including regional or local blockades.”

Covid Red – the full name of the Covid Response Assessment Dashboard – was designed to be used by both officials and the public.

It collects and presents data from the Office of National Statistics, Public Health England and NHS in five categories: find, test, monitor, isolate and support those who are asked to isolate.

A new “data dashboard” showed that an increasing number of people testing and tracking could not find within 24 hours, as well as an increasing number were only tracked after 72 hours, which is “too late” to stop. the spread of the infection, explains Professor Christina Pagel of University College London said. Pictured: A worker advises a woman who goes to a drive-in test center

It shows a growing number of people who test and track cannot find within 24 hours, along with a growing number only tracked after 72 hours, which Professor Pagel said was “too late” to stop the spread of the infection.

Getting contacts of new cases to isolate was critical to “breaking the chain of transmission,” he added. The lost numbers have increased enormously since September, showing that the “system is starting to overload”.

Co-developer Professor Deenan Pillay said coronavirus case numbers are now doubling every two weeks and real-time data is essential for monitoring infection “ hotspots ” during the winter.

He added: “We will depend on long-term testing and traces to make sure we catch infections, we will not continue to suffer more and more blocks.”