NHS Covid-19 app downloaded by 10 million in three days despite test results glitch
THE NHS Covid-19 has been downloaded 10 million times in just three days despite a test results glitch.
The contact-tracing app was downloaded six million times on its first day after it was launched on Thursday, and the total reached 10 million today, the Department of Health said.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Health Minister Matt Hancock said the download figures were “absolutely fantastic”.
A fix for the coronavirus app had to be rolled out on Friday due to an issue that prevented England users from logging their coronavirus test results.
Some 60,000 people have been unable to link their swab outcome to the long-delayed system hailed “world beating” by Boris Johnson.
Tests done in an NHS hospital and Public Health England lab will be affected until the glitch is resolved.
The daily average number over the last week was 59,103. Officials say NHS contact tracers will contact those with a positive test and give them a code to insert into the app.
Tests booked through the app are automatically logged.
Tests done in Lighthouse labs are being added once a code has been sent.
The latest hitch follows months of problems with the app.
The app’s failings will add to the pressure on NHS Test and Trace guru Baroness Dido Harding. In June, experts warned it would not work following a trial on the Isle of Wight.
Mr Hancock said the app — developed with the Apple and Google framework — was an “important step forward” in containing Covid.
Despite its problems, the Welsh government today decided to link all testing to the app.
But Shadow health minister Justin Madders blasted: “Having delayed the launch of the app for four months it beggars belief Covid tests taken by the NHS cannot be entered on the system.
“This is basic stuff and absolutely needs putting right urgently.”
Most read in News
The Department of Health and Social Care said it was urgently working to enable positive tests for people who are not already given a code to be added to the Covid-19 App.
It said: “NHS Test and Trace will continue to contact people if your test is positive advising you to self-isolate and, for those who don’t have a code, the contact tracers will shortly be able to provide codes.
“If you book your test via the app the results will be automatically recorded in the app and the isolation countdown will be updated.”
