COVID-19 cases rapidly increase as the NHS Test and Trace app is launched
In just one week, the number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 60%, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
It was recorded by the ONS that last week, around 6,000 positive Coronavirus cases were recorded each day as opposed to this week being approximately 9,600 per day.
Altogether, from 13th to 19th September, around 1 in 500 people have the virus. The rates are highest in the 17 to 24 age category and more prevalent in the Yorkshire, Humber, North West/East and London areas.
So far there are some local lockdowns across the UK but the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has said that he wants to avoid a full lockdown across the UK as this would hugly damage the economy.
However, the PM said that “If people don’t follow the rules we have set out, then we must reserve the right to go further.”
In response, the leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer said “The return of this virus, and the return of restrictions, are not an act of God. They’re a failure of Government.”
This comes as the new test and trace app was launched across England. It is now available to download on Android and iPhone devices.
In the first 24-hours of the app’s launch, over one million people have successfully downloaded it and signed up. The app prides itself on its security and data protection, where users only have to enter the first half of their postal code and no other details that identify themselves.
The app also states that “You can delete the stored data whenever you want.” The government have said that it is not a legal requirement for over 16’s to download the app.
The app has many features such as a venue check-in section which allows users to scan places they visit for test and trace purposes. You are also able to check your symptoms to see if you need a Coronavirus test, read the latest government advice, enter a test result you have received and activate contact tracing.
If you test positive and enter this information into the app, it will alert anyone your phone has been near through Bluetooth for more than 15 mins. The alert will not identify you to anyone who receives an alert on their device.
If you receive an alert, you are under no legal requirement to self-isolate but are strongly urged to get a test if you experience any symptoms before or after the alert.
