Fewer people are set to be 'pinged' with a tweak to the NHS Covid-19 app announced today.
As part of a review into the app announced by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, 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 to look back at contacts two days prior to a positive test.
The Government says that the change has been made with public health advice.
It 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, Sajid Javid said: “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.”
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Industry leaders in hospitality and leisure had complained of staff shortages because of the 'pingdemic'.
Last week, Sacha Lord, the night time economy tsar for Great Manchester warned that the 'pingdemic ' is forcing Greater Manchester hospitality venues to close every day because of isolating staff.
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A lack of staff in manufacturing and delivery has forced supermarkets to urge shopper s not to panic buy amid food supplies unable to get on the shelves.
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.
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Usage remains high, with around 40% of the eligible population regularly using the app and around 50% of all reported tests being inputted.
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.
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