MPs cautiously optimistic as Kirklees local contact tracing system is rolled out

That’s the view of Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney as Kirklees gets set to move on Wednesday from national lockdown into tough Tier 3 restrictions.

Dewsbury MP Mark Eastwood concurred, describing local contact tracing as “the correct approach”.

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin said there was “a light at the end of the tunnel” with the news of a coming vaccine.

Their comments come just days after the leader of Kirklees Council, Shabir Pandor, spoke of the “imminent” launch of a local test and trace system and that he anticipated a mass roll-out of vaccinations would happen “very, very quickly”.

He expressed hopes that the same logistical framework could be used to deliver mass testing on a local level.

Coun Pandor said a 20% fall in infection figures was “encouraging” and that despite the borough being put into Tier 3 there was “light at the end of the tunnel”.

As of November 27 – the most recent data available – 431 per 100,000 people in Kirklees tested positive for Covid-19, compared to the previous week when it was 555 per 100,000 people.

That indicated a 22% drop in infection rates. However Kirklees’ figures remain the fifth highest in the country.

Reacting to the onset of the tier system and looking forward to the days and weeks after the introduction of localised track and trace, Mr McCartney cautioned against any sense of complacency.

He said: “As we move from the national lockdown into tiers there are signs that the number of Covid cases in Kirklees is starting to come down.

“But there is no room for complacency with Kirklees still having the ninth highest case rate in the country.

“Enhanced local track and trace coupled with government support gives us real hope, especially with the vaccines coming over the horizon. It’s been such a tough, challenging time with so many of us making huge sacrifices.”

He pledged to keep making the case to “follow the data” and said he was an “lobbying hard” for more financial support for the hard-hit hospitality industry.

Mr Eastwood said he supported the borough’s public health team – led by Strategic Director for Public Health at Kirklees Council Rachel Spencer-Henshall – in rolling out the enhanced contact tracing service.

He said: “The new service will complement NHS Test and Trace by utilising local knowledge.

“A national tracing infrastructure supported by local knowledge is the correct approach and I am pleased that things are moving in the right direction.

“There’s still some distance to go, and I will continue working with the council and local MPs to help get infection levels down.”

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin said she was “especially pleased” to see Kirklees working with Wakefield on the new localised test and trace system.

She added: “Now we have a local track and trace system in place, we will be able to identify where the virus is spreading at the source.

“Alongside this we need to ensure that financial support is provided for all who need it, such as the self-employed and employees who can’t work, as well as businesses that haven’t been able to open.

“I hope that with these targeted interventions we will continue on our downward trend and come out of Tier 3 soon. However we won’t know this without a clear roadmap out of restrictions.”