• The latest NHS Test and Trace data shows 84,310 positive cases of COVID-19 were recorded.
• This is 21.4% lower than the previous week, while 13.9% fewer tests were carried out.
• For all Pillar 2 routes combined, 38.1% were returned within 24 hours, up from 37.8% last week.

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

"It is good that the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to fall, this week 21% fewer than the previous week.

"We are consistently seeing a very high proportion of positive cases being transferred into the Test and Trace system each week. But one in eight of these are still not being reached and asked to provide details of their contacts. More needs to be done to ensure there are no gaps.

"Compared to the start of the year, test turnaround times have improved significantly, but it is vital that we see further progress ahead of restrictions being eased.

"Following the government's lockdown roadmap, Test and Trace must build upon the advances it has made to enable the country to exit lockdown in the safest way possible. In particular, it would now be helpful if Test and Trace could report regularly on its own assessment of how ready and able it is to combat any new variant COVID-19 strains that, in future, provide the greatest threat."