Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull will pilot a “pivotal” track and trace scheme to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
Government funding has been announced for local authorities across England to roll out test and trace services.
And 11 areas have been chosen to pilot the scheme and then share best practice with other authorities.
Among them are Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull under the West Midlands Combined Mayoral Authority.
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street has welcomed the move.
He said an effective track and trace system will give people confidence to return to “some form” of normality – helping to re-boot the economy and get people back to work.
What is track and trace?
The track and trace programme aims to stop the spread of coronavirus. It involves tracing and advising people who have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.
The government says that each local authority will be given funding to develop tailored outbreak control plans, working with the NHS and other stakeholders.
Plans will focus on identifying and containing potential outbreaks in places such as workplaces, housing complexes, care homes and schools.
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Local authorities have been told to ensure testing capacity is being used at high risk locations.
The Joint Biosecurity Centre will also share data with local authorities so that they can understand how the virus is moving, and work with national government.
The ring-fenced funding package being handed to local authorities across England is worth £300m. It has not been confirmed how much each local authority will receive.
What does it mean for me?
Communities will be encouraged to follow advice and help anyone self-isolating in their area. This could include offering support to neighbours and working with community groups.
What have people said?
Mr Street said: “Track and trace is going to be absolutely pivotal to the West Midlands as we look to move to the next phase of this pandemic, and I am pleased that this afternoon it has been confirmed the West Midlands will be among the first regions to role this system out, with a pilot taking place in Coventry, Solihull, and Warwickshire.
"With the rate of new infections currently very low in the West Midlands – just 53 new cases were confirmed yesterday - now is the perfect time to use track and trace in the region to suppress coronavirus one case by one case.
“Not only will having an effective system like this in place allow more businesses to return, but it will also give people confidence to start returning to some form of pre-coronavirus normality. Both will be absolutely critical when it comes to re-booting the economy and getting people back into work.”
“Everyone needs to play their part”
Minister for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health, Nadine Dorries, said: "Local authorities will be vital in the effort to contain COVID-19 at a community level. The pandemic requires a national effort but that will only be effective as a result of local authorities, working hand in hand with Public Health England and contact tracers to focus on the containment of local outbreaks, in order to control the transmission and the spread of the virus.
"For contact tracing to be effective when it is rolled out, we will need people to continue to follow guidelines and stay at home if they have symptoms.
"Work will be led by local authority leaders and local directors of public health in charge of planning, and will build on their work to date to respond to coronavirus locally. They will operate in close partnership with local hospitals, GP practices, businesses, religious groups, schools and charities.
"These new plans will build on the comprehensive work already being done by local authorities and directors of public health to respond to coronavirus locally.
"Local efforts will support the national rollout of the test and trace service, in which everyone will need to play their part to stop the spread of coronavirus."
