Does NHS COVID-19 app show previous venues you have visited?
Details of which venues you have visited again are only on your app. The app will hold details of a relevant test result but only for as long as necessary, 14 days after any self-isolation period this data is no longer recorded.
Does the NHS COVID-19 app track my location?
It does not record or track where you or other app users are (for example, at home or in a public space). The app does not identify you or your location to other app users (or, as noted above, the government).
How does the NHS COVID-19 App identify a close contact?
From these details, the app uses a scoring mechanism to determine the app user's level of risk of getting COVID-19 as a result of close contact with an app user who may be infectious. If the risk of infection is significant, the app will issue an alert.
How does the NHS COVID-19 app protect users' anonymity while tracking the cases?
The app uses complex cryptography to protect you and other app users' anonymity while enabling diagnosis keys to be matched with a relevant broadcast key when relevant. Where there are matches, you will get an alert that you've been in contact with someone who tested positive.
What is manual contact tracing in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Manual contact tracing involves asking an infected person to remember who they have been in contact with; the person can only identify the people they know.
28 related questions foundHow can contact tracing help in controlling the spread of COVID-19?
Contact tracing can break the chains of transmission through the rapid identification, isolation and clinical care of cases, and providing supported quarantine of contacts, meaning that virus transmission can be stopped.
Can the data collected for COVID-19 contact tracing be used for other purposes?
Personal data that is collected for NHS Test and Trace, which you would not collect in your usual course of business, must be used only to share with NHS Test and Trace.
It must not be used for other purposes, including marketing, profiling, analysis or other purposes unrelated to contact tracing, or you will be in breach of GDPR.
How does the National Health Service (NHS) app protect user's privacy?
The technique used to provide app users with their correct result also ensure that the identity of the user is protected. When the app recommends a test for users it requests three separate tokens. These are generated by services outside of the app and are not recorded in the app. They are unique and anonymous and cannot be derived from each other or any other information.
These three tokens allow the correct information to be returned to the correct user whilst maintaining their privacy and ensuring that data cannot be linked. We dealt the tokens promptly once we’ve updated the relevant app.
How does the National Health Service (NHS) app prevent re-identification?
Only those with access to the app will have details of the venues checked into. No details about which venues a user has checked into is included in the analytical data set or provided to the use.
Does the NHS COVID-19 app protect my privacy?
The system gives a high level of privacy protection, as the app does not collect or transfer any information that tells us who or where you are. This also means it cannot tell the NHS, people and organisations who have contributed to the development of the app, or any other app user, who or where you are.
Does the NHS COVID-19 app gather analytical data?
Each 6-hour period, the app collects a summary count of key information. This is called the analytical data set and helps us monitor the use, performance and information about the app and its use. The data is prepared and will be sent to central systems where it used for assurance of the app, technical checks and the public health functions. It does not include the data held on your app about specific venues or your close contacts.
How does Evushield for COVID-19 work?
Developed by AstraZeneca, Evusheld is a combination of two long-acting antibodies that works by binding to the spike protein on the outside of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. This in turn prevents the virus from attaching to and entering human cells.
How often does the National Health Service (NHS) app update data?
The app is updated by the central systems (product environment), on average, every 2 hours. The central system provides all app users with three key sets of data. Every app user receives the same information, called reference material, which the app uses to determine if you need to receive an alert or advice. These are:
• the list of Diagnosis Keys from app users who have tested positive. This functionality keeps the identity of app users anonymous to other app users
• the list of all postcode districts and their current risk level
• the list of venues that could pose a risk, as determined by Health Protection Teams and the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC)
Will my data be deleted after uninstalling the NHS COVID-19 app?
If you choose to delete the app, you will not receive any notifications (alerts) from the app about coronavirus (COVID-19) and the data stored by the app on your phone will be deleted. If you decide to install the app again, you will need to provide the requested information again.
Can personal data collected for NHS Test and Trace be used for other purposes?
Personal data that is collected for NHS Test and Trace, which you would not collect in your usual course of business, must be used only to share with NHS Test and Trace.
It must not be used for other purposes, including marketing, profiling, analysis or other purposes unrelated to contact tracing, or you will be in breach of GDPR. You should make your staff aware of what they should and shouldn't do with customer information.
What is the COVID-19 Symptom Tracker App?
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 COVID-19 Symptom Tracker app will be shared daily with the Welsh Government and NHS Wales.
Which company designed the NHS COVID-19 app to protect the privacy and identity of the users?
This system is designed by Apple and Google to protect the privacy and identity of app users, making their use of the app anonymous.
What are public health and social measures (PHSMs)?
Public health and social measures (PHSMs) are measures or actions by individuals, institutions, communities, local and national governments and international bodies to slow or stop the spread of an infectious disease, such as COVID-19.
Why is the NHS COVID-19 app useful?
The NHS COVID-19 app enables the majority of people with a smartphone to find out if they are at risk of having caught the virus and need to self isolate, order a test if they have symptoms, and access the right guidance and advice.
The features of this app, including QR code check-in at venues, work alongside our traditional contact tracing service and will help us to reach more people quickly in their communities to prevent further spread of the virus. This is a welcome step in protecting those around us.
Who provides the digital contact-tracing technology used in the NHS COVID-19 app?
The digital contact-tracing technology used in the NHS COVID-19 app is provided by Apple and Google. This technology is known as the ‘Google Apple Exposure Notification system’ (or ‘GAEN’). GAEN, operating systems and data available from this system are constantly being refined.
These updates change the data that can be collected. They also make additional data items available which can help understand and manage public health.
GAEN can provide measurements around the interactions of users. For example, when you update your status in the app with a positive COVID-19 test result (and share your diagnosis keys), GAEN helps the app generate data to understand the level of risk of infection for other app users.
Can I use a PCR test device after use-by date?
Check the use-by date [YYYY-MM-DD] on the label on the inner test kit package. Do not use the test device after its use-by date.
Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the booster vaccine?
Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine? The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster.
How long after having COVID-19 can I get the spring booster vaccine?
If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. If you have had confirmed COVID-19 you should ideally wait 4 weeks before having your spring booster.
What are some ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19?
Social distancing, washing your hands and good respiratory hygiene (using and disposing of tissues), cleaning surfaces and keeping indoor spaces well ventilated are the most important ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
What are some precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
These include getting vaccinated, ventilating indoor spaces, wearing a face covering or mask in certain situations and keeping up good hand and respiratory hygiene – such as covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
