• The latest NHS Test and Trace data shows there were 274,898 positive cases of COVID-19 recorded.
• This is 17.4% lower than the previous week, while 4.8% fewer tests were carried out.
• For all Pillar 2 routes combined, 33.4% of tests were returned within 24 hours, up from 26.8% last week.

Responding to the latest figures from NHS Test and Trace, NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson said:

"This week there have been welcome improvements in some aspects of the Test and Trace system, but there is still a long way to go before it can be called 'world-beating'.

"It is critical that all confirmed cases of COVID-19 are transferred into the system in the coming weeks, following a large backlog that built up in December.

"The number of close contacts identified remains lower than we would expect to see, however, it is good that the system is reaching a high proportion of these known contacts and instructing them to self-isolate.

"We welcome the gradual improvements in the amount of time taken for test results to be returned. However only a third of Pillar 2 routes were returned within 24 hours, so there is clearly still a way to go."