The public is being urged to continue to use the NHS COVID-19 App
as changes made from today will result in fewer contacts being
advised to self-isolate following a close contact with a positive
case.
As part of a review into the app announced by the Health
Secretary, the ‘logic’ which underpins how close contacts are
notified will be updated from today.
Currently, for people who input a positive test but are
asymptomatic, the app looks for close contacts five days prior to
a positive test. This will be updated based on public health
advice to look back at contacts two days prior to a positive
test.
The change will mean fewer contacts that took place when the
positive case was unlikely to be at the peak of their
infectiousness are advised to self-isolate, reducing the overall
number of notifications sent by the app.
This update does not impact the sensitivity of the app, or change
the risk threshold, and will result in the same number of
high-risk contacts being advised to self-isolate.
Health and Social Care Secretary, said
specifically of the app ‘logic’ change:
“We want to reduce the disruption that self-isolation can cause
for people and businesses, while ensuring we’re protecting those
most at risk from this virus. This update to the app will help
ensure that we are striking the right balance.
“It’s so important that people isolate when asked to do so in
order to stop the spread of the virus and protect their
communities.”
This update comes as new analysis shows the NHS COVID-19 App
continues to play a crucial role in breaking chains of
transmission, preventing hospitalisations and saving lives.
New analysis from leading scientists shows that in the first 3
weeks of July, as cases were exponentially rising, the app
averted up to 2,000 cases per day, and over 50,000 cases of
COVID-19 including chains of transmission assuming 60% compliance
with instructions to self-isolate. This is estimated to have
prevented 1,600 hospitalisations.
It also shows the app reduces the spread of COVID-19 by around
4.3% each week, and for every 200-250 tests entered and shared in
the app one person is prevented from being hospitalised from the
virus.
Usage remains high, with around 40% of the eligible population
regularly using the app and around 50% of all reported tests
being inputted.
The government is urging the public to continue using the NHS
COVID-19 App. Around one in three people experience this virus
without symptoms and, even if you are fully vaccinated, it is
possible that you could be unwittingly carrying and spreading the
virus, creating a chain of transmission that could have someone
vulnerable to the virus at the end of it.
Dr Jenny Harries, CEO of UK Health Security Agency,
said:
“The NHS COVID-19 App is a really practical example of how
technology can be used to fight the biggest challenges we face in
protecting and improving our health.
“The app is the simplest, easiest, and fastest way to find out
whether you have been exposed to the virus, and it has saved
thousands of lives over the course of this pandemic.
“I strongly encourage everyone, even those fully vaccinated, to
continue using the app. It is a lifesaving tool that helps us to
stay safe and to protect those closest to us as we return to a
more familiar way of life.”
The app remains the fastest way to know if you have been at risk,
and app users will only be advised to isolate if they have come
into close contact with someone who has tested positive for
COVID-19.
From 16 August, fully vaccinated contacts in England will be
exempt from isolation and instead will be advised to take a PCR
test. Those who are not fully vaccinated will still be required
to isolate, and it will remain a legal obligation to isolate if
you test positive for COVID-19.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- The app works with a team of independent scientific advisors
lead by Christophe Fraser from Oxford University’s Pathogen
Dynamics Group at the Big Data Institute. These recent findings
are published on their blog and a paper is expected to follow.
This can be found here
- An explanation of the Risk Algorithm of the NHS COVID-19 App
can be found here
- Regular data published on the NHS COVID-19 App can be found
here
