Sheffield councillor with Covid 'tormented' and 'harassed' by 'endless' calls from track and trace

Coun Mohammed Mahroof told a full council meeting he was still experiencing Covid-19 symptoms but it was “nothing compared to the torment” and “almost harassment” from track and trace and call centres.

He said: “When you are going through it it’s pretty bad and you do feel a lot of angst, but it is nothing compared to the torment, and I would say almost harassment, from test and trace and various call centres you get contacted by.

“On top of your suffering, you get endless calls on your mobile and landline and quite a number of text messages from call centres across the country.

“I’m not the only one, I’m sure there are other people who have suffered similar issues.

“Could I ask, at least from the Sheffield perspective, that people are treated with a little bit of dignity, respect and humanity?

“It’s a very traumatic experience to go through in the first place. It clearly raises a major issue that local contacts are probably much better than call centre contacts.

“Some call centre staff were absolutely great, others were very business-like and some were extremely condescending.

“A lot of money that has been thrown at this but unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be working in the way that it should be.”

Coun Jackie Drayton, cabinet member for children and families, said: “I’m sad to know that happened to you but I think you will recognise, as we all do hear, it’s so very important that we do trace people who have tested positive for Covid to make sure they understand about isolating.

“The local track and trace is working extremely well and as I said, I have no doubt their efforts have contributed to saving lives in our city. It’s vital we trace people and vital we encourage them to isolate but I will follow that up individually.”

If a person tests positive for Covid they have to self isolate immediately. If that person took a test because they had symptoms, they need to self-isolate for at least 10 days from when symptoms started. If they do not have symptoms, they need to self-isolate for 10 days from when the test was taken.

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