A NEW contact tracing system for people who test positive for Covid-19 has been launched, Slough Borough Council has announced.

The Slough-based telephone support service was designed to back up the national test and trace system as it has not been ‘hugely successful’ within the borough due to limitations with the service, language barriers, and a reluctance from people to give their details, claims the lead member for health and wellbeing, councillor Natasa Pantelic (Labour: Cippenham Meadows).

The service will be operating five days a week with calls to people who have tested positive for coronavirus coming from a local Slough (01753) number.

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The system – which was set up by the council, Slough Public Health Service, and Berkshire Shared Public Health Team – is staffed by council staff and specially trained volunteers who are working together as part of the #OneSlough partnership responding to the pandemic.

The service began Thursday (September 17).

Councillor Pantelic said: “This Slough service will be supporting the national system by offering local residents to talk to someone from Slough, who understands the area, the cultural sensitivities of our communities and the local support and advice available locally and in a number of different languages.”

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She added: “Importantly, we will have direct contact with residents affected so we can offer support and extra help if they or their families need; including the tailored support from our OneSlough partnership with Slough Council for Voluntary Service which was a lifeline for many during lockdown.

“So, I would encourage people who receive a call to not only pick up, but also to take part as much as they can. It is vitally important to help us control the spread of the virus but also so we can provide an extra level of support to those affected.”