NHS Test and Trace: How does it work?

The end of a nationwide lockdown could be on the horizon, as the Health Secretary announced new plans to test and trace coronavirus cases.

The NHS Test and Trace service goes live on May 28, in England, with 25,000 contact tracing staff and the capacity to trace the 10,000 contacts per day.

Announcing the new service Matt Hancock said: “As we move to the next stage of our fight against coronavirus, we will be able to replace national lockdowns with individual isolation and, if necessary, local action where there are outbreaks.

"This new system will help us keep this virus under control while carefully and safely lifting the lockdown nationally."

The Government did not launch a contact tracing system until now because it needed to flatten the curve of infections first, Mr Hancock said, during Wednesday's Downing Street briefing.

The NHS contact tracing app, currently being trialled on the Isle of Wight, will also form part of the new Test and Trace strategy in the coming weeks.

Watch the video to find out more about the new strategy, how it will work and how it might affect you.