NHS COVID-19 app

Supporting the national effort

How the app will help in the fight against the pandemic

The NHS COVID-19 app is part of our large scale coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and contact tracing programme called the NHS Test and Trace service in England and the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service in Wales. The app will be used, alongside traditional contact tracing, to help notify users if they have come into contact with someone who tests positive for coronavirus.

The app allows people to report symptoms, order a coronavirus test, check in to venues by scanning a QR code and it helps the NHS trace individuals that have coronavirus. National effort NHS COVID-19 app Contact tracing Virus testing

The app will help the NHS understand if the virus is spreading in a particular area, and so local authorities can respond quickly to stop it spreading further and save lives.

The app does this while protecting a user’s anonymity. Nobody, including the government, will know who or where a particular user is.

NHS COVID-19 app

Protect your loved ones

The importance of the app
Every person who downloads the app will be helping in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19).

The app will help the NHS understand where and how quickly the virus is spreading, so it can respond quickly and effectively. The app helps the NHS rack the virus, not individuals.

App data
The app will not track you or your location. Instead your postcode district helps the app work out where the virus is spreading.

Your postcode district is the first part of your postcode, which is common to about 8,000 other households. When you first download the app, you will be asked for your postcode district.

Benefits of app contact tracing
The app helps trace app users who have spent time near other app users, who they may not personally know, and who later test positive for coronavirus.

The “Check-in” feature supports this functionality by anonymously alerting users who have been at the same venue at the same time.

App contact tracing reduces the time it takes to alert those who you have been in close contact with.

How the app supports you

The app has key features that will provide you maximum
freedom and minimum risk

If you choose to download the app, there are six key features that will help you and your community.

They will help to reduce your personal risk and the public’s risk too.

How the app supports you

The app has key features that will provide you maximum
freedom and minimum risk

If you choose to download the app, there are six key features that will help you and your community.

They will help to reduce your personal risk and the public’s risk too.

How the app works

Partnering with Google and Apple to create an app that helps in the fight against coronavirus

The app technology

The NHS COVID-19 app uses your smartphone’s existing “Exposure Logging” feature to work out if you have spent time near other app users who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

For this to work, your Bluetooth needs to be turned on: this will not drain your battery as the app uses “Bluetooth Low Energy”.

Alerting others

An app user who tests positive for coronavirus can choose if they want other app users to be alerted. A random unique ID will then be used to alert other app users who were in close contact with that person. This ensures that the positive user’s privacy and identity is protected.

In this together

Every additional contact that the app traces will improve our existing contact tracing service and helpstop the spread of coronavirus.

What to do if I have symptoms?

You can use the app to check if your symptoms mean that you
should be tested

If you feel unwell, you should use the app to check if your symptoms could be related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

How do I enter my symptoms into the app?

You can enter your symptoms into the app by tapping the “Report Symptoms” button. The app will give you a list of potential symptoms and you can then choose the ones that apply to you.

What happens after I have entered my symptoms?

When you have answered the questions, you can check them before you submit this information to the app.

The app will then tell you if your symptoms could be caused by coronavirus and will provide a link to the website where you can book a free test. If you are under 18, you are advised to show this message to a trusted adult.

Until you receive your test results, please follow the app’s guidance on self-isolation.

Positive test result

Easy access to your test results and advice on what to do next

What happens if I have a positive test result?

If you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), the app will tell you to self-isolate. If you are under 18, you are advised to show the alert to a trusted adult. It is really important that you stay at home during this time. The app will help you keep track of your isolation period with a countdown timer showing you how much longer you need to keep self-isolating. The app will also provide links to advice from the NHS on coronavirus and on what to do if you feel unwell.

What does my positive test result mean for other members of the public?

If you test positive for coronavirus, then you can choose if you want other app users to be alerted. If you decide to send alerts, NHS doctors and scientists use an algorithm to work out how close you need to be to someone with the virus, to be at risk.

A random unique ID will then be used to anonymously alert other app users who you were in close contact with on the days before you developed symptoms. No personal details about you are revealed with this alert and your privacy and identity are always protected.

App users receiving this alert will be given official NHS advice on what to do next. You may also be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service in England and the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect service in Wales and asked to complete a form about who you know you’ve been in contact with recently.

Your personal privacy and data

How privacy and data are protected

Protecting your privacy and identity

The NHS will securely send data to your phone. For example, this data might be information about a change in risk level for your postcode district. This data is used to alert you if you are at risk of getting coronavirus (COVID-19) from other app users who have been near you.

The app uses random unique IDs to detect other NHS COVID-19 app users so that alerts can be sent. Using these random IDs means that your interactions with other app users remain private.

All records, such as date, time and how near you are to other users, are stored on your phone only. You can also delete the app and all the data it stores, whenever you choose.

Your data is safe and secure

The app will not hold any personal information about you or track your location.

The app cannot be used:
• to identify you
• to track you
• to check if you are self-isolating
• by law enforcement

Experts from the Government, Apple, Google and industry have helped to design, test and improve the app.

The National Cyber Security Centre also checks that the app is safe and secure to use.

Your personal privacy and data

The app is developed with your privacy and security in mind

Can the app see my phone contacts?

No. The app does not have access to your phone contacts or any other personal information held on your phone. This includes your name, contacts, email addresses or phone numbers, or the specific details ofyour phone.

Your privacy and identity are secure.

More information about data and privacy can be found at www.covid19.nhs.uk.

What data is logged with Check-in” feature?
When you check into a venue, data will be held on your phone. This includes the time and date of your check-in and an identifier for the venue.

The app will automatically delete your list of check-ins every 21 days, but you can also choose to delete this list whenever you want.

If other people were at the same venue at a similar time to you, and later test positive for coronavirus, you may receive an alert to let you know.