NEW contact tracing systems are to be introduced by both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester councils tomorrow (Wednesday).

The moves, which complement the national NHS Test and Trace system, will go live with council staff working from daily lists of Covid-19 positive cases who the national Test and Trace team have been unable to contact within 24 hours.

Cheshire East Director of Public Health Dr Matt Tyrer says the scheme will be rolled out to certain postcodes experiencing "higher positive tests" before going borough-wide.

He added: "It's important that residents who have symptoms self-isolate immediately and only leave home to get a Covid-19 test. If this test comes back as positive you must continue to self-isolate to avoid spreading the virus further.

"It is also a legal requirement. We are here to support our local residents in meeting that requirement and ensure they don't suffer undue hardship as a result.

"Our local contact tracing team will be able to offer advice and information on where to access help and support should you need it."

Cheshire West and Chester leader Cllr Louise Gittins said: "We had informal working before with the NHS. Now we are using our own call centres so it will be more of a formal process.

"This is done in a proper, managed way. We are hoping as it goes on we will get more responsibilities. Ideally the government wants more and more done on a local level in terms of targeted testing."

Both Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Cheshire are set to learn which tier of restrictions they will be placed under on Thursday.