With more than 30 million tests now processed since the programme was launched, and more than 1.4 million people reached by our contact tracers, NHS Test and Trace is helping to protect lives, and keep our schools and workplaces open.

1,892,703 tests were processed during the week 15 to 21 October, an increase of 163,138 compared with the previous week, and the highest number to date. With more than 600 test sites already in operation across the UK, and up to 40 new test sites opening every week, the median distance people are now travelling to a test centre is just 2.8 miles.

Turnaround times for tests have seen an improvement since the previous week, with 82,000 more in-person tests (pillars 1 and 2) turned around in 24 hours and care home turnaround times continuing to improve. A continued drive to improve testing capacity, which has already seen capacity increase to more than 445,000 a day this week, will contribute to ongoing improvement in turnaround times over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the contact tracing service is dealing with record volumes of cases. More than 97,000 people who tested positive were reached and asked for their contact details, that’s 80.5% of the total number of people transferred into the contact tracing system. This is a 23% increase in the number of people who tested positive and were contacted by NHS Test and Trace compared to last week ‒ 7 times more people were reached and asked for their contact details than the first week of September.

There are more close contacts being identified than ever before, with an increase of 12% this week alone. For those where communication details were available, 74.3% were reached and asked to self-isolate.

The weekly statistics from the 21st week of NHS Test and Trace show in the most recent week of operations (15 to 21 October):

• a total of 1,892,703 tests were processed, a 9% increase from the previous week
• 97,014 (80.5%) people who tested positive and were transferred to the contact-tracing system were reached and asked to provide information about their contacts, compared with 78,903 (81.7%) the previous week
• 171,554 (74.3%) contacts where communication details were given were reached and told to self-isolate, compared with 152,495 (75.1%) the previous week
• 46.5% of in-person test results were received the next day after the test was taken, compared with 33.4% the previous week
• 20.0% of in-person test results were received within 24 hours after the test was taken, compared with 12% the previous week
• 34.9% of satellite (care home) tests results were delivered within 48 hours compared to 20.4% in the previous week

Since NHS Test and Trace launched, nearly 1.5 million contacts have been identified, and 80.9% of all contacts where communication details were given have been reached and told to self-isolate.

Latest figures also show that the NHS COVID-19 app has been downloaded more than 19 million times since it was launched.

The government’s commitment to increasing testing capacity has already seen the number of labs across the UK’s growing diagnostic network rise from 5 to 18, through a combination of public, private and academic partnerships.

A new Lighthouse Lab has also now been approved in Plymouth, which is set to join the network in the new year. When fully operational, the Plymouth lab, which will be operated by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, will have the capacity to process up to 40,000 COVID-19 tests each day. Nearly 3,000 new recruits have joined the lab network since April, while advances in innovation and technology continue to speed up processing and add to capacity.

Interim Executive Chair of the National Institute for Health Protection Baroness Dido Harding said:

As the number of cases rise, we are seeing NHS Test and Trace processing more tests and reaching more people than ever before.

We are expanding the reach of our service and improving performance in key areas such as turnaround times for tests as we continue to increase capacity, but we recognise there is more to be done. We are working hard to meet these increased demands whilst improving the service we offer to the public.

There has been a terminology change. The terms ‘complex’ and ‘non-complex’ for cases and contacts will no longer be used. Instead, ‘cases and contacts that are managed by local health protection teams (HPTs)’ and ‘cases and contacts that are not managed by local HPTs’ will be used.

Deputy Secretary-General,

Excellencies,

It is a real honour to be speaking to you all again at the UN.

As the Deputy Secretary General has just set out, climate action cannot wait.

Even though COP26 has been postponed, we need to act now to fulfil our Paris Agreement commitments.

When I was last here in March, I heard many of you talk about the challenges your countries face and the steps you are taking.

Since then I have met with Ministers from many of your countries. On Zoom, at virtual events, and recently in person once again.

In fact, I am speaking to you today from South Korea.

Over this time, I have been listening carefully to both Parties and non-state actors.

I have been impressed by the commitment to climate action that I have heard.

It is clear that the appetite to tackle this challenge remains, but we all must do more.

Together, I know we can ensure the Paris Agreement delivers.

That is why I am here to tell you more about the Climate Ambition Summit 2020; co-hosted by the UK COP26 Presidency, the UN and France, in partnership with Chile and Italy.

Summit Details

This Summit will be an important milestone on the road to COP26. It will be a chance for leaders to demonstrate their commitment to the Paris Agreement and to come together in support of the multilateral process.

This Summit will provide a platform for leaders ready to come forward with announcements under the three pillars of the Paris Agreement; mitigation, adaptation and support.

Specifically, we are calling for:

• New, more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs);
• Long-Term Strategies setting out a pathway to net zero emissions;
• Climate finance commitments to support the most vulnerable;
• And crucially, ambitious adaptation plans and underlying policies.

We must all maintain our focus on increasing ambition, and there will be no space for general statements.

Announcements must show genuine progress from existing policies and Paris targets.

We will give priority to the most transformational commitments put forward.

Regardless of whether it is a major economy or smaller climate vulnerable country.

As COP President Designate, I am committed to a ‘whole of society’ approach, and we will also use the Summit to create an inclusive and diverse platform.

Featuring a range of vital non-government voices to hold us all accountable.

This will be a virtual summit, held on Saturday the 12th of December starting at 9AM New York time.

We will be seeking pre-recorded statements, and I ask Parties to provide initial expressions of interest in a speaking slot – along with an indication of their ambition – by the 6th of November.

We will issue a full logistical note shortly, including all details of the event and how to formally request a speaking slot.

Closing

While I recognise that time is short and that the world is facing an immense challenge with COVID-19, we urgently need to raise our ambition.

The Paris goals require us to halve global emissions over the next decade, and to rapidly adapt to our warming climate.

Current NDCs put us on track for 3 degrees warming.

This is simply unacceptable, we must close the gap.

Yet, I remain optimistic; countries such as Jamaica, the Marshall Islands, Norway, Moldova, and our partners Chile have shown leadership by announcing new, more ambitious NDCs.

I am asking today, that you join them by coming forward with enhanced ambition in December.

I also welcome the recent announcements made by President Xi at UNGA and Prime Minister Suga yesterday, and we look forward to working with both countries on their climate ambition.

It is clear that recovery from COVID-19 and climate ambition are not mutually exclusive.

Member states can build back better by embedding their climate commitments into COVID-19 recovery packages, taking advantage of the plummeting cost of renewables, and the opportunities for our societies that green and resilient growth brings.

This will be a chance for us all to turn words into action, and we hope you will all join us for this important summit.

Only by coming together can we build the zero carbon, climate resilient future that is essential for our people and our planet.

Thank you.