Public urged to get app to help experts track coronavirus
WELSH First Minister Mark Drakeford and NHS Wales are appealing to the public to download a new Covid-19 Symptom Tracker app to help the NHS response to the outbreak.
People across Wales are being asked to log their daily symptoms to help build a clearer picture of how the virus is affecting people.
The app is for everyone, not just those who are experiencing symptoms.
Developed by researchers at King’s College London and healthcare science company, ZOE, the app will be able to function through facilities at the databank at Swansea University.
The Covid-19 Symptom Tracker is already being used by more than 38,000 people in Wales, and more than two million across the UK.
People are using the app to track their daily health and any potential Covid-19 symptoms.
It is also being used by healthcare and hospital workers.
Data from the Symptom Tracker app will be shared daily with the Welsh Government and NHS Wales.
It will give early indications of where future hospital admissions are going to be.
Scientists from Kings College London and the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank at Swansea University will work with the Welsh Government to analyse the data to inform modelling and understand and predict the developing situation of the disease in Wales.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Having a range of evidence and data is crucial in helping us build a clear picture of how the virus is behaving and affecting everyone’s lives.
“Crucially, this app can help us anticipate potential Covid hot spots and get our NHS services ready.
“I’m asking everyone in Wales to download the new Covid Symptom Tracker app, so you can help protect our workers and save lives.
“Together we can build the best scientific picture so we are better armed to fight this terrible disease.”
The research team at King’s College London and ZOE are analysing the data to generate new insights about the disease.
An interactive map allowing anyone to see the distribution of Covid in their area is available at covid.joinzoe.com as well as frequent science updates.
Lead researcher Professor Tim Spector from King’s College London said: “Accurate real-time data is essential if we are to beat this disease.
“Without accurate and widespread testing it’s essential that we have as much data as possible to help us predict where we are going to see the next spikes in demand so that resources can be effectively deployed ahead of time to meet the needs of the patients.
“The support of the Welsh Government and NHS Wales is an incredibly positive step in the right direction and we hope to see other NHS groups coming on board in the coming days.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank every single person who is already participating, and would urge everyone else to download the app and check in every day, whether you are experiencing any symptoms or feeling fine.”
The app is available to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play from the links at covid. joinzoe.com
Daily symptom maps and other content are available via https:// covid.joinzoe.com/blog
A secure, anonymised data pipeline has been established to deliver contributor information from the Symptom Tracker app into the NHS via BREATHE – the Health Data Research Hub for Respiratory Health and SAIL Databank at Swansea University, supported by Health Data Research UK.
This can support the effective deployment of limited NHS resources such as healthcare personnel, testing kits or ventilators to where they are most likely to be needed.
Regular downloads of anonymised data from the app will be securely delivered through BREATHE – the Health Data Research Hub for Respiratory Health into the SAIL Databank, making it accessible to NHS decision-makers and academic researchers.
This also means that the app data can be linked together with other Covid-19 datasets generated by the NHS digital transformation unit, NHSX, and others.
King’s College London and ZOE recently discovered that loss of smell or taste is more likely to be an early symptom of COVID-19 than fever.
King’s College London is one of the top 10 UK universities in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2018/19) and among the oldest in England.
ZOE was founded by Professor Tim Spector and data science experts Jonathan Wolf and George Hadjigeorgiou as a spin-out from King’s College London.
Based in Boston, US, and London, UK, ZOE is harnessing the power of data science and largescale research studies to bring precision health and nutrition to everyone.
■■Visit joinZOE.com for more information.