• The latest NHS Test and Trace data shows 14,051 positive cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the most recent week of this data (13-19 May). This is 7.6% fewer than the previous week.
• 4.55 million people were tested in the latest week, a 1% decrease on the previous week.
• For all Pillar 2 routes combined, 92.4% were returned within 24 hours, and of those transferred into the system, 7.7% were not reached.

Responding to the latest figures from NHS Test and Trace, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery, said:

"We are at a crucial point in the pandemic with new variants leading to a spike in cases after weeks of falling infection rates.

"As the final stage of lockdown easing approaches, it is absolutely critical that we have a test and trace system which is robust enough to combat the spread of new COVID-19 variants.

"It is encouraging that of those picked up by NHS Test and Trace, fewer people are testing positive compared with the previous week. It’s also positive that test turnaround times improved this week with 92.4% of tests being returned within 24 hours.

"But this risks being offset by figures showing fewer people overall are being tracked by the system.

"Test and Trace must improve if we are to contain and eliminate the threat of current and new potential COVID-19 strains.

"We also need everyone to play their part in observing the rules on social contact, getting tested as needed and self-isolating when waiting for test results and in the event of a positive test."