Check your details: Pub goers fail to receive 'get Covid tested' text
Cumbria County Council says it is struggling to get hold of people who need to be tested for coronavirus, because some customers aren't leaving the right contact details when visiting pubs and restaurants.
There's been rising concern recently over the number of cases in Carlisle and Eden. The total number of positive tests in both areas remains below other areas of concern in the North West.
However, the rates of infection per 100,000 population are significantly higher than the overall North West and England averages - which Cumbria's Director of Public Health says is "concerning".
In the last week, more than 1,200 people have received a text message from the council advising them to get tested. But it has emerged that around 15-20% of the contact information provided by customers is wrong or unusable. Issues include:
No details or clearly false numbers.
Incorrect mobile phone numbers with too many or too few digits
Illegible handwriting
Colin Cox, Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said: “This information is absolutely vital to our efforts to stop the spread of the virus. Being able to contact people quickly and easily if they have potentially been exposed to someone who is infectious is hugely important.
“I know it is a bit of an inconvenience, but I urge people to provide their contact details when asked and make certain they are correct and readable.
"Almost 1 in 5 of the people we think may potentially have been exposed last week will not hear from us directly because of unusable information."
Cumbria County Council has reiterated public health messages:
Wash or sanitise hands regularly
Observe social distancing rules
Wear face masks or coverings in enclosed public spaces
If you have symptoms, self-isolate and get tested
Follow advice to self-isolate if asked