COVID-19 symptom tracker app

Our local prevalence is now down to 0.5. It was 2.6 when I first downloaded it. I've found it very reassuring to consider when I have to venture out shopping.

I've recently downloaded it and been doing it for a few days now. Anything that helps get a grip on this thing.

Just downloaded it, it’s quite interesting thanks so much jane10 for posting about it

Oh

I can't Jane. I tried that, but it's not built for PCs. I'm honestly not going to waste any more time on it. I've tried what I could and life's too short. I hate techie stuff anyway and I've spent far too much time grappling with new software to keep my business ticking over, so that I can eat, which is a bit of a priority at the moment.

I didn't write "covid sufferers". Anybody is just as likely to catch it as anybody else. I wrote those who would be affected worst (and have the severest symptoms). As the majority of those are elderly (some with dementia), it's a fact that elderly people don't have expensive gadgets as frequently as younger people.

growstuff why on earth would covid sufferers not have a smart phone or Apple I pad. I can’t follow your logic there?

Why not join it via your desktop? It's a website?
The symptom tracker is different in that it's just local people feeding in their medical state each day.

I think it probably is. I've never had any time for phone apps and I'd be pushed financially to afford a new phone anyway.

I only use my phone for texts, phone calls and as an alarm clock - it does the job.

My eyesight isn't very good either, so I prefer to do everything at a desktop PC with a big monitor.

How does the data compare with the official statistics from the government?

publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/04/23/coronavirus-covid-19-using-data-to-track-the-virus/

Oh that’s a shame growstuff Yes, there will be a minimum version needed, apps can’t work on every operating system, so as you say it could be your phone is too old.

SirChenjin I went on to Google Play and it's not showing as available in this area. There's also something about the minimum version needed, so it could be that my phone is too old.

GagaJo hover your cursor over your local area on the interactive map and a black box appears which tells you the number of people reporting in that area and the prevalence of symptoms. It's very interesting. There are 15,000 + people in our area and we're down to 0.7 prevalence from 2.6 when I first downloaded the app.

The researchers are aware that older people may not have the skills or technology required so it's now possible for younger family members or friends to complete the daily update on their behalf.
Today our area's prevalence is down to 0.7!

From the app’s FAQs -

“The COVID symptom tracker was created by doctors and scientists at King's College London, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals working in partnership with ZOE – a health science company.

The app will be used to study the symptoms of COVID-19 and track the spread of this virus. This research is led by Prof. Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and director of TwinsUK”

growstuff - if you have an Android phone you’ll have an App Store, every smartphone has one. Might be called Google Play?

I’ve just downloaded the app on my iPhone, it’s really easy and straightforward. Thanks for sharing the link

This is an unofficial app that is just to help experts.
The official NHS/ government app is yet to be launched

The app is available for iPhone and Android here.

Not so simple, is it?

Whitewave I don't have any Apple stuff and my guess is that most of the people likely to most affected by Covid-19 don't have Apple or up-to-date smartphones either.

Thanks OP. I've downloaded it and will be updating. Useful and easy to use.

I’ve downloaded it and been completing daily for a couple of weeks now for myself and DH. I’m not sure how accurate it is yet though, but as more people use it the data could be more reliable.
It’s only valid though if people input accurate data !

oops the researchers have all the information they need otherwise they would ask more questions.

I’m doing it, but I think a few more questions might be helpful.
like others we are self isolating, so we are unlikely to get the Virus, but we aren’t asked if we are working, isolating or going shopping.
Anyway, it’s quick and easy, hopefully it will help towards research.

growstuff that’s the point.

If you have an apple I-pad as I have go into the App Store then search for covid19 then download for free. Done.

You will be helping take part in what is happening throughout the U.K. and helping the researchers to know how the strategy is working.

It is very satisfying as day by day you can see how the virus is reducing.

You are doing your bit by isolating, make it known and appreciated.

Have a good day?

Oooo Jane, where did you find that??

Me neither, growstuff. But our lack of symptoms is as important as those with them. It’s the whole picture.