THE coronavirus test-and-trace scheme has had its worst week on record, according to official statistics published today, as Britain suffered its largest-ever daily number of new cases.

Just 68.6 per cent of people who came into contact with somebody who later tested positive for Covid-19 were reached by the scheme — which is run for the NHS by private companies — and asked to self-isolate in the week up to September 30.

It is the lowest percentage since the system was introduced in May.