The NHS’ Covid contact-tracing app has been downloaded 10 million times in three days despite glitches for test results. The app was launched on Thursday and Health Minister Matt Hancock said the number of downloads was “absolutely fantastic”.
Covid App-10 million downloads in 3 days
The app was fixed on Friday due to an issue which stopped users in England from logging their Covid-19 test results. 60,000 people encountered this problem. The system has been hailed as “world-beating” by the Prime Minister.
NHS contact tracers will contact those with a positive test and give them a code to insert into the app. Users can book a test through the app with their test results being logged automatically.
The Health Secretary said that the app was an “important step forward” in containing the virus. Despite its problems, the Welsh government decided to link all testing to the app today.
Justin Madders, the Shadow health minister, declared: “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.”
The Department of Health and Social Care said it was trying to allow positive tests for people without a code to be put on the Covid App database. It said that NHS Test and Trace will continue to contact people with positive test results advising them to self-isolate. They will attempt to iron out all issues with regards to codes or the lack thereof in the coming days.
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