Contact tracing delays a 'concern' but are being investigated

Health minister responds to social media concerns

Coronavirus contact tracing is continuing on the Isle of Man despite criticism that it's too slow to be effective.

The health and social care minister has responded to concerns that people aren't being contacted quickly enough.

It follows reports, on social media, that the close contacts of someone who'd tested positive for Covid-19 weren't traced until three days later.

So I’ve got some more info - turns out the situation has indeed changed and contact tracing is being done more routinely, the website was just in need of an update!

The three day gap is of concern and I’ve raised this with the team to ensure this is an anomaly

— Lawrie Hooper MHK (@LawrieHooper) November 11, 2021

Lawrie Hooper told Manx Radio efforts are underway to speed up the process: 

The Department of Health and Social Care provided the following statement to Manx Radio: 

"Contact tracing continues to be used as a way to control the spread of COVID-19 within the community.

"Anyone who tests positive following a PCR test will be required to provide 111 with information on their close contacts who will consequently be informed and given the appropriate guidance.

"At times, when there has been an increasingly high number of cases, contact tracing has been reduced and the public has been asked to inform close contacts.

"Currently contact tracing is being used and people will be alerted if they are a close contact."