I learned that testing is steadily being ramped up, digital solutions to contact tracing are being developed, some of the 750,000 volunteers are being matched to community support, they are shielding vulnerable people like the homeless, and liaise closely with the NHS and GPs.(2)

The data from 111 calls, where cases are identified by symptoms, is also being analysed in public health and linked with primary care and follow-up.

Their workload for health protection and tracing of contacts has increased at least tenfold. Too difficult in London. One pointed out the social contract in the UK is different from China. It is based on trust. More coercive measures here will not work. (3)

Using volunteers to follow up cases and contacts would face major managerial, governance and risk issues. They think, in London at least, digital and phone contact with cases and their contacts is a better way to monitor their symptoms and maintain isolation. (4)

They also have to face the reality that some people cannot maintain quarantine at home eg drug addicts, some people with mental health issues, and women facing domestic abuse. (5)

They agreed that communications about the community protection they strive to create has been marginalised in the arguments about herd immunity. They are unequivocally working to suppress the virus, and maintain suppression when the lockdown lifts. (6)

Ultimately, it will be public health and primary care professionals who will break the chains of transmission of #COVID19 to stop this terrible pandemic. (7)