How will the new coronavirus test-and-trace system work?

Thousands of people are still catching coronavirus every day and scientists have warned the virus is likely to be a feature of life in Britain permanently. Finding a way to release the lockdown and get people back to work, reopen schools and revive the economy, without creating a second surge of infections, is vital. The new NHS test-and-trace system being launched throughout England on Thursday is designed to help the country switch from an all-encompassing nationwide lockdown into a more targeted approach, as and when infections flare up and people develop symptoms.