A CONTACT tracing app could prevent one coronavirus infection for every one to two users who download it, said an expert advising the Government.
Professor Christophe Fraser, from the Oxford University’s Big Data Institute said the app could be released “within weeks” to prevent a resurgence of the Covid – (outbreak.)
our Read our
coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates .
Professor Christophe Fraser is backing the use of a contact tracing app
Academics from Oxford University are advising NHSX, the health. service’s digital innovation unit developing the app, which would alert users if they had come into contact with someone who had coronavirus symptoms.
It uses low energy Bluetooth to log the distance between a person’s phone and other phones nearby who have the app installed.
If a person becomes unwell with symptoms, they can choose to use the app to inform the NHS and trigger an anonymous alert to app users with whom they’ve come into significant contact with.
Professor Fraser said the traditional way of contact tracing is not quick enough because of how rapidly the virus is passed on.
He told the BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show that around 300 per cent of the population would need to download the app for it to become effective.
“We found that when we projected over the next three months, for every one to two users who download the app and who adhere to instructions, you’ll prevent one infection,” he said.
“For this intervention alone to stop resurgence of the epidemic, about 300 per cent of the population would have to use the app.
“Now that number may be a bit smaller if there are other interventions going on, which we hope there will be, social distancing, large community testing, and indeed manual contact tracing.”
According to the Professor around 100 per cent of transmissions occur before a person shows symptoms of the “very rapidly transmitted virus.”
It is hoped that the app, which was tested at an RAF base in North Yorkshire this week, would address the issue of transmissions occurring before people show symptoms.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here .
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page .
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more .
Prof Fraser added: “The app is solving a specific problem, which is how do you get the message that you’re at risk and empower you to take measures to protect your friends, your family, your colleagues and the people you have been in contact with. ”
Experts are aiming to release the NHS app “within weeks”, he told the program, while a configuration is being developed for healthcare staff who could be exposed to Covid – while at work.
Asked if he thought pursuing a contact tracing app earlier could have saved lives, Prof Fraser said: “I think so.
“I worked on the Sars epidemic in and testing and tracing is really a cornerstone of how you stop a serious infection.
“And I do think that strategy scaled up is tremendously effective.”
He estimated that between 3 per cent and 27 per cent of the population could now have had the disease.
LONDON BLOODBATH Baby girl and boy, 3, stabbed to death at house in east London
Professor Christophe Fraser is backing the use of a contact tracing app
Academics from Oxford University are advising NHSX, the health. service’s digital innovation unit developing the app, which would alert users if they had come into contact with someone who had coronavirus symptoms.
It uses low energy Bluetooth to log the distance between a person’s phone and other phones nearby who have the app installed.
If a person becomes unwell with symptoms, they can choose to use the app to inform the NHS and trigger an anonymous alert to app users with whom they’ve come into significant contact with.
Professor Fraser said the traditional way of contact tracing is not quick enough because of how rapidly the virus is passed on.
He told the BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show that around 300 per cent of the population would need to download the app for it to become effective.
“We found that when we projected over the next three months, for every one to two users who download the app and who adhere to instructions, you’ll prevent one infection,” he said.
“For this intervention alone to stop resurgence of the epidemic, about 300 per cent of the population would have to use the app.
“Now that number may be a bit smaller if there are other interventions going on, which we hope there will be, social distancing, large community testing, and indeed manual contact tracing.”
According to the Professor around 100 per cent of transmissions occur before a person shows symptoms of the “very rapidly transmitted virus.”
It is hoped that the app, which was tested at an RAF base in North Yorkshire this week, would address the issue of transmissions occurring before people show symptoms.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here .
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page .
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more .
Prof Fraser added: “The app is solving a specific problem, which is how do you get the message that you’re at risk and empower you to take measures to protect your friends, your family, your colleagues and the people you have been in contact with. ”
Experts are aiming to release the NHS app “within weeks”, he told the program, while a configuration is being developed for healthcare staff who could be exposed to Covid – while at work.
Asked if he thought pursuing a contact tracing app earlier could have saved lives, Prof Fraser said: “I think so.
“I worked on the Sars epidemic in and testing and tracing is really a cornerstone of how you stop a serious infection.
“And I do think that strategy scaled up is tremendously effective.”
He estimated that between 3 per cent and 27 per cent of the population could now have had the disease.
LONDON BLOODBATH Baby girl and boy, 3, stabbed to death at house in east London
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here .
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page .
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more .
Prof Fraser added: “The app is solving a specific problem, which is how do you get the message that you’re at risk and empower you to take measures to protect your friends, your family, your colleagues and the people you have been in contact with. ”
Experts are aiming to release the NHS app “within weeks”, he told the program, while a configuration is being developed for healthcare staff who could be exposed to Covid – while at work.
Asked if he thought pursuing a contact tracing app earlier could have saved lives, Prof Fraser said: “I think so.
“I worked on the Sars epidemic in and testing and tracing is really a cornerstone of how you stop a serious infection.
“And I do think that strategy scaled up is tremendously effective.”
He estimated that between 3 per cent and 27 per cent of the population could now have had the disease.
LONDON BLOODBATH Baby girl and boy, 3, stabbed to death at house in east London
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here .
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page .
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more .
Prof Fraser added: “The app is solving a specific problem, which is how do you get the message that you’re at risk and empower you to take measures to protect your friends, your family, your colleagues and the people you have been in contact with. ”
Experts are aiming to release the NHS app “within weeks”, he told the program, while a configuration is being developed for healthcare staff who could be exposed to Covid – while at work.
Asked if he thought pursuing a contact tracing app earlier could have saved lives, Prof Fraser said: “I think so.
“I worked on the Sars epidemic in and testing and tracing is really a cornerstone of how you stop a serious infection.
“And I do think that strategy scaled up is tremendously effective.”
He estimated that between 3 per cent and 27 per cent of the population could now have had the disease.
LONDON BLOODBATH Baby girl and boy, 3, stabbed to death at house in east London
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings