Health chiefs ‘urgently’ working to fix app glitch
THE Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) say they are urgently working to fix a problem with the track and trace app.
Developers of the new coronavirus tracing app say that if your test took place in a lab or hospital, the tests results can’t be linked with the app whether they are positive or negative.
The app launched three days ago across England and Wales.
In response to a tweet by a user who said they had been tested, but could not upload their result, developers admitted there was an issue with the systems being able to link up.
This means the risk level in any designated area may not be 100
per cent accurate, as it doesn’t include data from all forms of testing.
“If your test took place in a Public Health England lab or NHS Hospital, or as part of national surveillance testing conducted by the Office of National Statistics, test results cannot currently be linked with the app whether they are positive or negative,” they said.
They say that those people not provided with a code will be provided a code by contract tracers to insert in the app.
Shadow Health and Social Care
secretary, Jonathan Ashworth MP criticised the new app’s failure to link tests from hospitals and labs.
“We all want to see this app succeed. We’ve encouraged people to download it,” he said.
“But have they really launched an app that doesn’t actually link to tests carried out by NHS hospital labs & PHE labs instead only including tests carried out via the outsourced lighthouse lab network??”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We are urgently working to enable
positive tests for people who aren’t already given a code to be added to the COVID-19 App.
“NHS Test and Trace will continue to contact people by text, email or phone 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 to insert in the app.
“If you book your test via the app the results will be automatically recorded in the app and the isolation countdown will be updated.”