The Isle of Wight is once again being asked to trial the NHS’ coronavirus test and trace app, which is said to now be ‘new and improved’.
Over the coming days, starting from tomorrow (Friday), Islanders will receive a unique code through the post which will enable them to download the app, preventing people from other parts of the country being involved in the trial. However, the app will also be tested in an urban area, as well as with emergency workers.
Although the app looks similar to the previous one, the technology behind it has changed – in part because of what has been learnt from the previous test – and it has many more functions. As part of the app’s new capabilities, QR codes can be used by businesses to help customers sign in.
Over 54,000 Islanders are said to have downloaded the original mobile app throughout May following a massive campaign. But question marks were soon raised when it became clear hardly anyone was receiving alerts and then the app was not updated when the list of symptoms was expanded.
It is now known that issues with Apple’s iPhone models could not be overcome, which has led to a Google/Apple alternative app being released today (Thursday). Reassurances have been given that the new app works with iPhones running iOS 13.5+ and Android 6+.
Key features of the app include:
- Get Notified – find out when you’ve been near other app users
- Check into Venues – check it places like bars and restaurants with the QR code scanner, without having to fill out forms
- Check your Symptoms – check to see if your symptoms could be coronavirus
- Isolation Countdown – keep track of how many days are left of your isolation period
- Risk Level – the app tells you the risk level in your postcode area
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:
“It’s essential we get the country moving again so people can get back to doing what they love. Our statistics show more people with symptoms are getting tested and NHS Test and Trace reaches the vast majority of people testing positive, and their contacts. We are seeing a significant rise in the number of people with symptoms getting tested, and 90% of people who turn up to be tested get their results by the next day.
“We’ve worked with tech companies, international partners, privacy and medical experts to develop an app that is simple to use, secure and will help keep the country safe.
Article continues below this advertisement “Building on the feedback from the first phase, I want to thank Isle of Wight residents who will again play a vital national role in fighting this pandemic, joined by residents in Newham, London and our incredible NHS Volunteer Responders. We are hugely grateful to everyone playing their part to rigorously test the new app and provide the foundation for a national roll-out.”
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has said:
“The Island has again been asked to help trial the Trace and Test App. We’ve been asked specifically because of the very strong community support last time, which has been recognised by the Government. They have come back to ask for our support again. Much of the feedback that Islanders previously gave has been incorporated into the new app.
“I am hoping very much that we can support this improved version as much as we did the previous version. We are doing this for the same reason we did it the first time around. Firstly, it helps protect Islanders. Secondly, as visitors come back to the Island it will help protect both them and us. Third, because it is good for our nation.
“We need to get back to a position where people can get on with their lives whilst doing our best to suppress the virus and protect the most vulnerable. The app, and the test and trace scheme, is the best way of getting back to doing the things we love.”
Islanders are reassured that personal data does not leave the device – unless you allow it to – and users control their data. The app does not track GPS location and does not access other things on your phone, such as your address book.
The trial comes ahead of a potential nationwide launch later this year.
For more information and to download the app visit https://covid19.nhs.uk/.
Yh….no.
Did the first one which didn’t work so not putting myself out to do it again.
Well thank you for putting yourself out the first time Stu. The effort you made with that 10 second download must have been phenomenal. But at the end of the day, it’s only a second trial to try and stop masses of people dying unnecessarily and masses more getting badly ill so probably not worth it eh? Twat.
This is not going to work, the islanders get a unique code that blocks out people from around the rest of the country. Yet we have the people from round the rest if the country wandering around the island, What a stupid idea
Spot on and if you go to the pub or restaurant they have your details anyway.
Not so, most pubs do not take customer details
Really? They’re supposed to be. If they’re not you should report them. The only one I’ve been to was and was doing everything very carefully.
Absolutely! What’s the point with all the visitors we have here now. The first was a disaster this will be the same. Find some other guinea pigs. We did our bit and what good did that do?
Thanks but no thanks!
The comment in the article about other people not using the app means that they
OK so you need an activation code that will be sent by email or letter not a problem; but if like my partner and myself have not received a single official communication since the pandemic began, how are we ever going to get the code to activate in the first place.
Did try raising this at NHSX but suprise suprise there’s a fault that prevents queries being submitted.
Is this one run by NHS X again?
Why didn’t we just take on the one being used elsewhere, or the one Ireland got for £800,000?
I might be able to hazard a guess why.
Unique for the individual Island Postcode address or just a Unique Code to access the download? I agree that it will be difficult to get accurate monitoring with thousands of visitors here on the Island when they do not have access to the App.
According to the NHS site each person will be given a unique code to activate the app, you can download and install it now ready for your code to arrive.
New and improved to gather more data, and of course not work as it should. No faith in this at all, it will be just like the last one, flawed and a waste of time and money.
Bugger off .
This all looks rather familiar!? Come on folks back on the merry go round! Let’s keep this going, winter is just round the corner, then we can really clamp down on you all again! Just like in Melbourne Australia, 7 die , youngest 70, most in their 80s and 1 in the 90s! Now totally lockdown again with military style policing, yeah can’t wait!
and there is the talk of customers having to register their details by scanning their phone at the door of the pub/cafe
nothing like spying on everyone – i wont’ have my phone on me and will not be providing genuine details anywhere – my privacy is my right, my right to freedom of movement, anonymously is also a right.
With you on that.
Absolutely. What do a few hundred thousand lives and a few million jobs matter? Just so long as that expert team of spies sitting around a table watching your every move because you are so important, don’t know you’re at Wetherspoons?
Dave, you just don’t understand what that all means. People always think why do they want to watch me? They don’t want to watch you, they want to CONTROL you! Ever aspect of your life. If you haven’t read agenda 21 please do, it’s on the gov.uk website now called agenda 2030.
Just give it a go, what have you got to lose oh ya your life.
If you are one of the 00000.1% who die from the coronavirus, then yes.
Rubbish .
Does or will d. Stewart have the app. Will the so called mp bother too?
Nope, ain’t happening.
Ok Ill just say it shall i…what an absolute load of bow locks.we did our part . Now go bother someone else! Waste of huge funds where it could of saved a scrapped service or a bus route …jokers! Your money grabbing hands just want mainlanders money regardless of safety.you can just go out n about too see that.
Won’t work at all if the first one didn’t work the 2nd one won’t work
Sorry, you had your chance and you blew it. Thanks but no thanks
No chance of me doing it as every day loads of kids from the mainland come over on red jet and spend all day at the beach and do not social distance amongst themselves and also they do not care about keeping their distance from other people as well. Absolute idiots
Great new app, only one issue, I have an I phone 6, up-to-date software IOS 12.4.8, below the required software !!!! for the app?
Same problem with my I phone 5
I quote from another source:-
So this new app doesn’t work well.
The only improvement is it is supposed to work on Apple or Android phones.
I have an android phone and the last app took 7 days and many downloads to get it, and then 2 days to get it to work.
YET … i still know more people that have phones that do not have internet access.
I won’t be using it.
What a crock of shit
Bit like you! Useless.
Ah me old mate Gunga the Indian char waller. Keep posting these comments one day they’ll be intelligent.By the way I applaud you for leaving your brain to science but you should have waited until you died. Should try harder with your childish insults. See you later Field Marshall Windbag.
I see the prat has returned
Don’t be harsh on yourself Steven.
YIGAF’s other user profile
Slowly but surely Gungas mental state is slipping into the abyss. Seek help before it’s too late.
Small Island, Small mind – I’m fine don’t worry about me, like I said here to annoy you and now Sleave aka Steve your new Stooge.
At 58 you should set an example, it’s your iq not your age maybe….
I agree with comments about the visitors not having the app makes a farce of testing it here on the island, it should be made compulsory for all visitors to load it as they arrive, and Islanders we need to give it a go we have to try every thing possible to and end this pandemic, the ferry companies and a lot of holiday makers are not helping. A recent quote from a holidaying family that was one short from their booking was ” we left mum at home as she has the virus” What hope is there for our safety with idiots like this flaunting all guidelines, at least with an effective track and trace app we would know to get tested if we had met any of this or similar families / individuals.
Didn’t work the first time and won’t work this time so don’t bother wasting your time
How stupid, even less people are going to take it up only works on certain phones? He sounds about as convincing as BORIS
If you use it or not, it will be a roaring success, and mandatory for all very soon after. Some of you people are starting to see the picture that’s developing here, and it’s not very nice. Just look at Canada,Australia and the US. All what they are going through ,we will be next.
So Boris, in recognition of the amazing efforts put in by the people of the Isle of Wight, how about you show us how thankful the government is by sorting out the ferry fiasco, extortionate fares, putting up fares at peak times, cancelling sailings at short notice, ( usually due to an essential member of staff having a lay in). That seems a fair trade off to me, we’ve done our bit, now it’s your turn.
Come on people, how are we going to move forward if all you doubting Thomas’s just poo poo this trial. As we keep hearing this is unprecedented it’s all a learning curve, we need to get behind it, personally I would make it mandatory
Well if that letter drops thro my letterbox itll go straight through the shredder un opened im not down loading any app I dont drink so dont go out to pubs & Restaurants Boris you can stick your Track & trace where the sun dont shine
Christ, he’s as stupid as BORIS, didn’t work the first time, won’t go on certain devices, and Thousands of money spinners for the council walking about, will these barmey ideas ever stop,
According to NHS tweet, this app supports The app currently supports Apple iOS versions 11 and higher, and Android versions 8 and higher. We are looking to support earlier versions in future.
For a full list of supported phones: orlo.uk/HhNl3
No it doesn’t support older iPhones despite the fact that the required Bluetooth BLE 4 is on the iPhone 5 onward, the App still requires iOS 13.5. The Developers seem to be ignoring all the App reviews / comments on this problem. A bit of a mess.
I’ve tried to download app on my iPhone 6 but can’t as not running 13.5
There must be hundreds in similar positions