SOUTHAMPTON'S Covid contact tracing success rate has risen again - but across Hampshire it has fallen, figures reveal.

Data from the Department for Health and Social care shows 2,120 people who tested positive for Covid-19 in Southampton were transferred to the test and trace service between May 28 and November 11.

That means 434 new cases were transferred in the latest seven-day period.

Contact tracers ask these patients to give details for anyone they were in close contact with in the 48 hours before their symptoms started.

This led to 5,237 close contacts being identified over the period – those not managed by local health protection teams, which are dealt with through a call centre or online.

Contact tracers reached 60.5% of those – up slightly from 60.3% up to November 4, and 60.1% to October 28.

The figures show 8,965 people who tested positive in Hampshire were transferred to test and trace between May 28 and November 11.

That means 1,907 new cases were transferred in the latest seven-day period – the largest increase since it began.

This led to 23,623 close contacts being identified over the period – those not managed by local health protection teams, which are dealt with through a call centre or online.

But just 66.7% were reached, meaning 7,855 people were not contacted or did not respond.

That was slightly down from the 67.2% reached up to November 4, but above the 62.7% average across the South East as whole.

Across England, 58.9% of contacts not managed by local health protection teams were reached and told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace in the latest week to November 11.

The contact tracing rate including these cases was 60.5% – in line with the week before.

Around 157,000 new cases were transferred nationally in the week to November 11, the highest weekly number since NHS Test and Trace was launched.

Across England, 58.9% of contacts not managed by local health protection teams were reached and told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace in the latest week to November 11.

Local health protection teams deal with cases linked to settings such as hospitals, schools and prisons.

The contact tracing rate including these cases was 60.5% – in line with the week before.

Around 157,000 new cases were transferred nationally in the week to November 11, the highest weekly number since NHS Test and Trace was launched.