Coronavirus tracing mobile app should be available in West Midlands soon, says heath expert
The roll-out of a coronavirus tracing mobile app on the Isle of Wight has attracted a positive response, according to a West Midlands health chief who said she hopes it will be available in the region within weeks.
The app, which ministers hope will be key to controlling the spread of Covid-19 and reopening the economy, is being trialled on the island before a planned roll-out in the rest of the UK.
Dr Sue Ibbotson, Public Health England's (PHE) West Midlands director, said she hoped as many people as possible would install the mobile phone app when it becomes available.
There would also need to be aggressive awareness campaign to ensure people download the app in their millions, she said.
People who have symptoms of Covid-19 will be able to inform the app, which will then alert others who have been in close contact, so they can self-isolate if necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.
Dr Ibbotson said: "We are hearing good reports from the Isle of Wight pilot. I'm looking forward to hearing more about the roll-out.
"The hope is that a lot of people will use the app. Clearly not everyone will or be able to. There will be other ways of contacting contact tracing.
"We wan to make sure people are aware so when they have symptoms they self-isolate immediately. There will be guidance, campaigns and approaches to encourage people to do these things."
