Residents who are contacted will be asked more in-depth questions about their movements and who they’ve been in contact with and it’s important everyone gives all the correct information to protect their friends and loved ones.

This vital work will help Derbyshire County Council’s public health team, together with district and borough councils, build up a comprehensive picture of where transmissions are happening across Derbyshire.

And it means they can make important links between cases allowing them to respond more quickly to local outbreaks and put effective measures in place – possibly avoiding the need for a local lockdown.

Derbyshire’s Director of Public Health Dean Wallace said:

“It is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

“Although these residents will already have been contacted by the national Test and Trace programme our work in Derbyshire is helping is to create a more detailed picture of what’s happening locally.

“This all means that we will be able to respond more quickly and efficiently when we see a pattern of outbreaks occurring.

“By responding earlier to identified outbreaks, it could avoid the need for any extra lockdown restrictions in a particular area. So I’d urge anyone who is contacted by members of my team to do the right thing and give all the correct information.

“It is important to remember that this virus hasn’t gone away. We all want to get back to doing the things we love and by working together we can do that more quickly.”

People are urged to continue to follow the guidelines to prevent the spread of coronavirus by:

• washing their hands regularly
• staying 2m apart
• wearing a face covering when required, unless exempt
• keeping social gatherings to no more than 6 people – including children – both indoors and outdoors

If anyone develops any of the main symptoms – a new, continuous cough, high temperature or change or loss to your sense of smell or taste – they should immediately self-isolate for 10 days.

They should book a free test online or by calling NHS 119 and continue to self-isolate until they get their results.

People who test positive will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace team by email, text or phone and any close contacts will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

Under new laws, it is an offence to knowingly provide false information about close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.

Like the national test and trace programme, public health staff will never ask for payment or bank details.