NHS COVID-19 Contact Tracing App Has Told 1.7 Million in England and Wales to Isolate Since September

[MacRumors]

NHS COVID-19, the contact tracing app created by the U.K. government, has alerted 1.7 million users to isolate following close contact with someone who goes on to test positive.

That's according to an official GOV.UK press release from the Department of Heath and Social Care, which has been collating data about the app since it was launched in September 2020.

Over 1.7 million app users across England and Wales have been advised to isolate by the NHS COVID-19 app following a close contact with someone who goes on to test positive, new data published today shows.

The NHS COVID-19 app has been breaking chains of transmission to protect users and their communities since its launch in September.

Like other apps that take advantage of the anonymized Exposure Notification API from Apple and Google, NHS COVID-19 is designed to track who people come into contact with each other using Bluetooth, providing a notification if one of those people later comes down with the coronavirus.

Along with using a Bluetooth-based solution, NHS COVID-19 lets users scan QR codes to register visits to locations like stores and restaurants to aid in contact tracing, with U.K. businesses being encouraged to display QR posters for visitors to scan.

According to the press release, the app has now been downloaded 21.63 million times, representing 56% of the eligible population aged 16+ with a smartphone and was the second most downloaded free iPhone app on the App Store in 2020.

However, only about 16.5 million people are currently actively using the contact-tracing tool, which is 24% below the app's latest download tally. The difference is likely due to users uninstalling the app, disabling contact-tracing, or not activating it all.

Research conducted by scientists at The Alan Turing Institute and Oxford University shows for every 1% increase in app users, the number of coronavirus cases in the population can be reduced by 2.3%.

Research by the Turing/Oxford team into the epidemiological impact of the app also points to a causal link between app use and reduced case numbers, with their analysis suggesting the NHS COVID-19 app has prevented 600,000 cases since it was launched.

"The NHS COVID-19 app is an important tool in our pandemic response," said Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock. "We know it has instructed hundreds of thousands of at-risk people to self-isolate since it launched in September – including me – and this analysis shows it has been hugely effective at breaking chains of transmission, preventing an estimated 600,000 cases."

The NHS did not initially plan to use Apple and Google's ‌‌Exposure Notification‌‌ API and was instead pursuing a different solution, but after the announcement of the API the NHS changed course and decided to work on an app using the Apple/Google API after all.

Zuhlke UK, the firm behind the contact tracing app, told the BBC that despite the positive signs shown in the number of downloads of the app, it was essential for users to start re-activating its features as lockdown measures gradually eased.

"The data suggests that we have made a dent in the overall infection rate," said Wolfgang Emmerich, chief executive of Zuhlke UK.

"What we really have to do now, particularly as we're preparing to come out of lockdown, is to drive that adoption rate back up and to get people to switch [the app] back on again."

Emmerich also told the BBC that his team had put plans to extend the app to older iPhone models on the back burner so as to prioritize other new features, but declined to say what they are.

Article Link: NHS COVID-19 Contact Tracing App Has Told 1.7 Million in England and Wales to Isolate Since September

 

[Eddy Munn]

This app is so much better than the one they originally wanted to build!

 

[Wando64]

"...only about 16.5 million people are currently actively using the contact-tracing tool, which is 24% below the app's latest download tally. The difference is likely due to users uninstalling the app, disabling contact-tracing, or not activating it all."

If YOU don't use the Contact Tracing App, YOU are part of the problem. Stop making excuses and be part of the solution instead. It is not a perfect tool, but it is the one we have.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

Before lockdown my local pub would not allow anyone in unless they actually had the app and scanned in.

 

[BlueCreek]

The only time I have been notified was for it to tell me to isolate for 7 hours…

 

[KeithJenner]

"...only about 16.5 million people are currently actively using the contact-tracing tool, which is 24% below the app's latest download tally. The difference is likely due to users uninstalling the app, disabling contact-tracing, or not activating it all."

If YOU don't use the Contact Tracing App, YOU are part of the problem. Stop making excuses and be part of the solution instead. It is not a perfect tool, but it is the one we have.

Do we know if the number of downloads is the actual number of times it has been downloaded, or the number of people who have downloaded it.

For example, I originally released it on my old phone, and then again when I upgraded. Does that count as one or two downloads?

If it is two then that would make up some of the difference, especially given that there was a new phone release since they launched the app.

 

[KeithJenner]

Before lockdown my local pub would not allow anyone in unless they actually had the app and scanned in.

That is a bit of the problem now, very few people are going to places that require you to have it. I haven’t actually opened the app for months.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

That is a bit of the problem now, very few people are going to places that require you to have it. I haven’t actually opened the app for months.

Yes that’s very true and a good point

 

[Wando64]

That is a bit of the problem now, very few people are going to places that require you to have it. I haven’t actually opened the app for months.

The app is doing its job whether you open it or not, unless it has been deactivated.

 

[mctrials23]

That is a bit of the problem now, very few people are going to places that require you to have it. I haven’t actually opened the app for months.

Whats that got to do with it. It works in the background. I haven't opened it since last summer when I needed it to get into pubs etc but I still get a monthly notification that its still tracking and checking.

The issue is that far too many people in the UK are selfish ***** who wouldn't isolate even if they got a notification. They did a (somewhat limited) survey recently and found that something like 13% of people would get on a plane with COVID symptoms.

The last year has shown me how truly selfish a lot of people are.

 

[iphonehype]

Whats that got to do with it. It works in the background. I haven't opened it since last summer when I needed it to get into pubs etc but I still get a monthly notification that its still tracking and checking.

The issue is that far too many people in the UK are selfish ***** who wouldn't isolate even if they got a notification. They did a (somewhat limited) survey recently and found that something like 13% of people would get on a plane with COVID symptoms.

The last year has shown me how truly selfish a lot of people are.

I blame the UK Government for the way they've handled this from the beginning. This does does not excuse people for selfishness, but I don't think the problem would be as bad as it is now, if the UK Gov sorted themselves out.

 

[twistedpixel8]

That is a bit of the problem now, very few people are going to places that require you to have it. I haven’t actually opened the app for months.

Unfortunately the problem with that is that the privacy nutters think this is being used for sinister purposes and will say that requiring them to use it “violates their rights”.

 

[twistedpixel8]

I blame the UK Government for the way they've handled this from the beginning. This does does not excuse people for selfishness, but I don't think the problem would be as bad as it is now, if the UK Gov sorted themselves out.

We knew they’d cock it up though, didn’t we? And they’ll cock it up next pandemic as well, having learned nothing from this one.

Just look how they handle snow in the UK: every time it’s bad they’re like “We were not prepared. We need to do better next time” and then next time is exactly the same.

 

[twistedpixel8]

Whats that got to do with it. It works in the background. I haven't opened it since last summer when I needed it to get into pubs etc but I still get a monthly notification that its still tracking and checking.

The issue is that far too many people in the UK are selfish ***** who wouldn't isolate even if they got a notification. They did a (somewhat limited) survey recently and found that something like 13% of people would get on a plane with COVID symptoms.

The last year has shown me how truly selfish a lot of people are.

Totally agree. I am absolutely disgusted with many of my neighbors and have had no issue with calling the police each and every time they have friends round or have a party. It is this “I am the only one that matters” mentality that is destroying humanity and these idiots can’t see it. There is very little compassion in the world anymore because people are so obsessed with self improvement and wealth to care about the people suffering around them.

 

[KeithJenner]

The app is doing its job whether you open it or not, unless it has been deactivated.

Yes, I’m aware of that.

My point is that previously some people will have kept the app active because they knew that they would be asked for scan when they entered a pub/restaurant etc. Now, they aren’t entering those places so can delete the app without any issues.

 

[Harrycooke]

At a cost of £22b. So about £13k per notification. Other countries have spent a tiny fraction of this cost and have an effective test and trace system. Last year, I had to travel to and from work in one of the busiest places in Europe and I didn’t get a single notification.

Edit for clarity: The £22 billion cost would have been justified had the system been effective, however we have one of the worst death rates in the world with over 100k people dead due to the incompetence of this government as pointed out by others in the thread.

 

[KeithJenner]

Whats that got to do with it. It works in the background. I haven't opened it since last summer when I needed it to get into pubs etc but I still get a monthly notification that its still tracking and checking.

The issue is that far too many people in the UK are selfish ***** who wouldn't isolate even if they got a notification. They did a (somewhat limited) survey recently and found that something like 13% of people would get on a plane with COVID symptoms.

The last year has shown me how truly selfish a lot of people are.

What it has to do with it is very very simple.

Previously, those selfish people had to have the app if they wanted to do certain things. Now they don’t. They can be selfish without causing themselves any inconvenience.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

I disagree with apps such as this. Booooo.

 

[CarpalMac]

"...only about 16.5 million people are currently actively using the contact-tracing tool, which is 24% below the app's latest download tally. The difference is likely due to users uninstalling the app, disabling contact-tracing, or not activating it all."

If YOU don't use the Contact Tracing App, YOU are part of the problem. Stop making excuses and be part of the solution instead. It is not a perfect tool, but it is the one we have.

Given the selfish behaviour and general muppetry I have witnessed by others, people not using the app is a small part of the problem...

 

[kyjaotkb]

I disagree with apps such as this. Booooo.

Care to elaborate?

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Canadian here. Curious to hear about notifications for our citizens. I have heard of exactly one happening via Facebook since the rollout in summer. Searched the Globe yesterday for stories on it and nothing...

 

[msp3]

Before lockdown my local pub would not allow anyone in unless they actually had the app and scanned in.

>imagine living in a police state where if you don’t have a government mandated spying app installed on your phone you’re not allowed to eat or pick up food

And people still fall for the lie these spying apps are “optional”. Then again there are people begging to be oppressed (as is apparent in this thread) and get a tingle up their leg to be "just following orders"

 

[Bazooka-joe]

>imagine living in a police state where if you don’t have a government mandated spying app installed on your phone you’re not allowed to eat or pick up food

And people still fall for the lie these spying apps are “optional”. Then again there are people begging to be oppressed (as is apparent in this thread) and get a tingle up their leg to be "just following orders"

Jeez there is always one isn’t there. You have absolutely no evidence to back up your claim unless of course you can provide evidence that these are spying apps whose purpose is not for the safety of the British people.

 

[ForkHandles]

Canadian here. Curious to hear about notifications for our citizens. I have heard of exactly one happening via Facebook since the rollout in summer. Searched the Globe yesterday for stories on it and nothing...

My NHS app notified me of contact, because of the company I was with I could narrow the unknown infected person down to a time and place. Unfortunately they were more than four metres away from us so the app shouldn’t have really pinged. So we all did the right thing and self isolated.

 

[JW313]

When critical thinking skills are not encouraged, people will obey their phones over living life.