NHS Covid 19 Track & Trace app now available

Yes Growstuff, and if the stats don't include the negative results, then it will skew the percentages, with a false positive to negative ratio

Ah, yes, that makes sense now, thanks.
It just seems there are so many ways the app can fail, whether that's through the people using it, (or not) or with tech glitches.

B9exchange

Yes Growstuff, and if the stats don't include the negative results, then it will skew the percentages, with a false positive to negative ratio

That's true, although it's not the main purpose of the app. The government tests a number of people randomly to calculate what percentage of people are infected at any given time. That's why there's a variation in the figures from various sources.

I was just thinking about people who are convinced they've got it, when they haven't.
Imagine having to isolate every time they have been in contact with you.

I downloaded the app several days ago only to be disturbed from my slumbers at 7:04 This morning by a text pinging into my mobile telling me to download the app! Deleted text, checked app and it is working so wth?

I don't think that the app will be very effective. Apart from what is being discussed it occurred to me yesterday that a lot of people will not get paid if self isolating. Some will get SSP, others could apply for another benefit all a lot less than a weeks normal pay. I have no doubt that some organisations will make it up and of course public sector employees will receive full pay. I think that people who are in this position will probably just not bother to download it. After all you could get repeated warnings about the need to self isolate, just in case. Meanwhile the mortgage is in arrears or the landlord is writing reminders.

MissAdventure

I was just thinking about people who are convinced they've got it, when they haven't.
Imagine having to isolate every time they have been in contact with you.“

If I understand it correctly, someone has to be in receipt of a confirmed positive test result before the system notifies contacts, so that can’t happen?

Daisymae

I don't think that the app will be very effective. Apart from what is being discussed it occurred to me yesterday that a lot of people will not get paid if self isolating. Some will get SSP, others could apply for another benefit all a lot less than a weeks normal pay. I have no doubt that some organisations will make it up and of course public sector employees will receive full pay. I think that people who are in this position will probably just not bother to download it. After all you could get repeated warnings about the need to self isolate, just in case. Meanwhile the mortgage is in arrears or the landlord is writing reminders.

You're right and that's why only about 20% of people who are told to self-isolate do so. The £10,000 fine is self-defeating because people who think they might be infected won't even get tested. If they're self-employed, some will continue to soldier on because they can't afford to lose income. Undoubtedly, some will infect other people. Rather than spending silly amounts of money on an app which seems like a gimmick (or which don't work), it would have been better to do what Sweden is doing and compensate people who can't work generously (in my opinion).

MrsRochester

MissAdventure

I was just thinking about people who are convinced they've got it, when they haven't.
Imagine having to isolate every time they have been in contact with you.“

If I understand it correctly, someone has to be in receipt of a confirmed positive test result before the system notifies contacts, so that can’t happen?

You're right. I misunderstood. Apparently, you can input your symptoms and the app will give you advice (as if you couldn't work that out for yourself!) The regional risk information is meaningless - again you can find that out for yourself and much more accurately than a three point scale.

The app only informs contacts if you test positive. However, as so many people can't get tests, it seems a waste of time. There must be thousands of people who have recovered before they even managed to get a test.

www.ncsc.gov.uk/information/nhs-covid-19-app-explainer

The other issue is it’s geographical locationing (is that a word?!)

What I mean is that it’s not very good at identifying an individuals position in relation to others.

Very true growstuff. Those who follow Dr John Campbell on the COVID-19 Symptom Checker App, will have been horrified with the stats he showed about non compliance. Many who are contacted do not isolate, and some people are even unaware of what the symptoms are of COVID-19 in order to get a test!

One shocking thing was, that amongst those who do not self isolate, were Key Workers. It’s easy to be judgmental but there can of course be financial reasons why some do not do so if it’s a choice between feeding the family, or going to work whilst at risk.

The best Track & Trace App in the world will not work if people do not/cannot comply.

growstuff

“ There must be thousands of people who have recovered before they even managed to get a test.”

That’s the real scandal. Someone who manages several care homes was talking on Radio 4 yesterday about the issues around testing her staff. They are being tested weekly. Excellent, one would think, but they are currently taking the next test before they have even received the result of the previous week’s.

It appears the problem with the app has been fixed.

When they get the testing up to speed then this app could be useful but at the moment it’s totally pointless I see no value in it as you could pass someone with CV a dozen times a week and not pick it up without a quick test and quick result it would have no value apart from keeping you off work and from earning for days or weeks
I think if the elderly who are not working feel more secure with it on their phones then it’s doing it’s job judging by the posts on here
I will put it on my phone when I know it’s of value I m certainly not against it and have no worries about security and like everyone I m wanting to find any way possible to lower this Virus I just see nothing coming out of this but another big muddle
Mrs Rochester that is exactly my point my friend a care worker gets a weekly test but the results don’t come back until she is waiting for her second weeks test what complete and utter nonsense she could be working for 6 days with the virus The testing and results need urgent change this is just a sticking plaster to look like something wonderful is being done

Problem is those most at risk of dying or getting seriously ill from Covid are older people, and statistically (not including those on GN ?) are the ones who are least likely to have/use up to date smart phones.

I havent downloaded and looking at the algorithm they are using, I will not be in contact with people, I don’t know well, for the required length of time. Sad I know, living such a sheltered life.

I downloaded the App last Wednesday, very simple to do and use. However when I went to Carluccio's last Saturday they didn't have the NHS QR Poster to scan, so the registering of details there was done manually by taking just name and phone number.

I should add I'm 72 with an iphone. The App can't be put, apparently, on any phone over 5 years old.

I'm concerned about data usage.
That stuff can get eaten up very quickly, and mine isn't unlimited.

Has anyone any idea if it drains data/battery, please?

Battery drain is supposed to be minimal. My concerns are over its reliance on bluetooth to detect the 2 metre distance, it is not reliable enough to do that.

inews.co.uk/news/technology/nhs-app-covid-track-and-trace-bluetooth-reliability-distance-problems-explained-657609

I had a shocking experience when out on a works "do" years ago.

My bluetooth was on, and a video was sent to me that I was NOT expecting!!
Put me right off me turkey platter.

Mine is working fine after a shaky start when I did it wrong because told yo by girl on the door.
However I assume that it relies on you getting a test if you have symptoms and downloading results onto the app?

Just keep an eye out for any 'upgrades' This is from the British Computer Society

A planned development to the NHS Contact Tracing app which will score users’ lifestyles for COVID-19 risk is ‘alarming’ and needs clarity, software testers have warned.

Adam Leon Smith, a Fellow of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT said: “Comments from the developers about their plans to provide information to individuals about ‘how risky their life is’ based on Bluetooth contacts are alarming.

Read more in The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/sep/25/coronavirus-uk-live-rishi-sunak-students-cases-covid-crisis-scotland-updates?page=with:block-5f6dff468f08fb54b66a67d4

You can turn the tracing off and on with an option to remind you to put it on again. I turned mine off yesterday as I haven’t been going anywhere and had no visitors. Put it on today and will definitely have it on when going shopping etc.

Battery drain is not 'minimal' if you forget (as I did) to turn off the tracing when you don't need it. I found my battery almost flat this morning. I will turn tracing back on when I go out later today.