This is exactly the problem. Not only is pillar 2 data not available publicly, it's also not available to local authorities, making it impossible to identify what's causing this outbreak, or even where it is spatially. 1/N
Outsourcing testing to private companies has meant that surveillance data aren't joined up centrally. This means that:
1. There's a significant delay in identifying outbreaks- as we saw in Leicester
2. When these are identified, we have no idea of where clusters of infection are
1. There's a significant delay in identifying outbreaks- as we saw in Leicester
2. When these are identified, we have no idea of where clusters of infection are
We're essentially trying to put out localised fires we can't see by using general lockdown measures. The whole point of test, trace and isolate was to be able to identify local outbreaks and take focused measures to contain them.
But because our system is so fragmented, we now have to reinforce general lockdown - akin to flooding a whole city to put down a fire in a specific house or area. This isn't a successful strategy - this is a failure - one that is likely to be replicated in other parts of the uk.
The increase in cases was apparent over a month ago- this may be because of increases in testing, but even after testing capacity has been stable, the increase has been clear for at least several weeks. Why did it take so long to act? Because the data aren't readily available.
It's far too late to be taking restrictive action now in an epidemic with exponential increase in cases. Had the data been available, localised outbreaks could've been detected early on, & controlled with focused action - as Germany, S. Korea did recently. Why didn't we do this?
We still don't have data on where these cases are coming from, whether they work in the same area - these data are simply not available. How can we possibly control community spread of infection, when we can't even identify where it is? Why did we outsource testing, knowing this?
I was asked to speak about this on Channel 5 news yesterday, and on extensive digging, I couldn't find any data on PHE, despite this being reported on everywhere. After reading the response of the local authorities, it's become clear that these data just aren't available.
Easing lockdown without a surveillance system in place is completely negligent. Not only did we not have this system in place, there has been no transparency from govt about the fact that there is no mechanism to identify increases in transmission when they happen.
We identified this outbreak weeks after it happened. How do we know this isn't happening in other parts of England? It'll be too late when we identify them.
