COVID-19 cases are rising in the UK, with more than 6,000 new cases overnight. In a bid to limit the spread of the infection, NHS Test and Trace has now launched its highly-anticipated app.
The UK has seen a steady rise in the number of coronavirus cases over the past few weeks.
Almost 10 million people across the country have been put into local lockdowns, in a bid to stop the rising spread of the infection.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has now ordered all pubs and restaurants to shut at 10pm, while nobody should meet with more than five other people for the foreseeable future.
The NHS has now officially launched the COVID-19 app across England and Wales.
The app was officially launched today (Thursday September 24), and is now ready to download from the Apple Store, and Google Play Store.
The Government had previously made a U-turn on the development of a nationwide tracing app, abandoning its plan to rollout its own equivalent app in June.
It subsequently worked with Apple and Google to develop a new app, with trials starting last month.
The COVID-19 app uses bluetooth to gauge distance between other users.
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It will then be able to alert you if someone you were near later tests positive for coronavirus – even if you don’t know them.
The app will advise you to self-isolate if you were particularly close to someone that has coronavirus.
Certain businesses around the UK will legally have to display QR codes at their entrances, which can be easily scanned using the app.
If possible, everybody should download the app, provided they have a smartphone.
Your phone will need to have the Android Marshmallow operating system, or at least the Apple iOS 13.5.
Latest models of Huawei smartphones – launched from May 2019 – won’t be able to use the app, however.
The app’s launched is an important milestone in the fight against coronavirus, claimed Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
“Today’s launch marks an important step forward in our fight against this invisible killer and I urge everyone who can to download and use the app to protect themselves and their loved ones,” he said.
The app will also allow the public to easily book coronavirus tests if they develop symptoms.
You should consider getting a test if you have any of the three key warning signs of infection.
A high fever, a new, continuous cough, and a change to your sense of smell or taste all warrant a test for COVID-19.
Around 41,000 people have died from coronavirus in the UK since the start of the pandemic.
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