HEALTH leaders in Powys say the county is well placed to deliver the Welsh government's new Test Trace Protect strategy.

Test Trace Protect sets out the strategy for Wales for testing the public, tracing the spread of coronavirus, and helping to the country to relax lockdown restrictions.

Due to be launched in Powys next week, it will work by identifying those with Covid-19 symptoms, enabling them to be tested while isolating from wider family, friends and their community, tracing people who have been in close contact with the symptomatic person, requiring them to take precautions and self-isolate for 14 days, providing advice and guidance, particularly where the symptomatic individual or their contacts are vulnerable or at greater risk, and ensuring that if the individual tests negative and the symptoms are not due to coronavirus, they and their contacts can get back to their normal routines as soon as possible.

Professor Vivienne Harpwood, Chair of Powys Teaching Health Board, said: “As the restrictions are eased, each and every one of us will need to take steps to continue to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities to limit the spread of the disease. So, we are putting in place a comprehensive Test, Trace, Protect programme here in Powys.

“A key element of this has been the new testing units delivered by UK Armed Forces personnel. These units have helped us reach hundreds of key workers and care home residents and staff.

“We have also been working with Welsh Government on the launch of the new home testing kits for the general public announced on Monday.”

Cllr Rosemarie Harris, Leader of Powys County Council, said: “The next phase of Test Trace Protect will see the launch of contact tracing in the county. We are putting integrated teams in place that bring together clinical expertise from the Health Board and Environmental Health officer from the council. Training is currently under way ready for the first contact tracing team to launched by next week."

More information about the Welsh Government’s Test, Trace Protect strategy is available from: https://gov.wales/test-trace-protect-html