CIVIC chiefs in Hampshire are to roll out a local test and trace system in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Hampshire County Council will run their own test and trace service from this week. 

This means that where the national NHS Test & Trace service is unable to reach people who have tested positive, the local call handlers will take over and will contact residents who would need to self-isolate.

The news comes as the NHS Test and Trace has repeatedly come under fire as an investigation revealed that just half of close contacts given to England's NHS Test and Trace were reached in some areas.

From the end of this week people in Hampshire will receive a phone call from a  01962 number and will be given self-isolation guidance.

Meanwhile, in Southampton the service will be launched tomorrow.

Residents that test positive for Covid-19 may be called by the city council team on the dedicated number 023 8212 8701.

The authority urged residents who received a call from this  number to answer the phone.

The number will show up as a missed call and residents can then call back and talk to a call handler.

City residents may also receive a text message from the city council asking people to call 023 8212 8701. 

Cllr Lorna Fielker, cabinet member for health and adult care, said:"Evidence from other successfully trialled Local Test and Tracing services show that people respond more readily to calls and call backs when a local team get in touch with them. We need people to answer the local number and help identify their close contacts that need to be contacted to be advised to self-isolate.”

The exact date for the roll out of the county council service is yet to be revealed.

In a statement the authority said: "Hampshire is one of many local authorities that has worked with NHS Test & Trace to set up a Local Tracing Partnership which will begin rolling-out across the county from the end of this week. Where the national NHS Test & Trace service is unable to reach people who have tested positive within their usual timeframes, local call handlers will take over – calling from an 01962 number.  Those who have tested positive will be asked to confirm their local contacts and will receive appropriate self-isolation guidance and any additional support they need."

The authority said the new system will play "a crucial role" in protecting communities in Hampshire.

The council added: "Providing residents with access to prompt and convenient testing, and ensuring their close contacts are traced, is key to preventing further spread of the virus by breaking the chain of infection. We urge anyone who has tested positive to pick up if called.“