WARWICKSHIRE residents are being urged to download the NHS Covid-19 app by the county council.
The council says the new official NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app is the fastest way for people to know when they are at risk from Coronavirus (Covid-19) – and to alert loved ones and the community.
The mobile phone application lets users ‘check in’ to any venue or business with areas open to the public – such as pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, cinemas, places of worship, or community facilities such as libraries – by scanning a QR code displayed on a poster at the venue. It will automatically alert users if they have visited a venue where they may have come into contact with the virus.
The app tells users when they have been near other users who have tested positive for Covid-19, and the level of Coronavirus risk in their postcode district.
It also features a Coronavirus symptom checker and helps book tests for the virus.
Warwickshire County Council’s spokesman for health, Coun Les Caborn, said: “The more people download and use the NHS Covid-19 app, the more it will help us to prevent the spread of the virus.
“I strongly encourage everyone over 16 with a smartphone to download the app to help us get ahead of the virus, prevent further deaths, local lockdowns and disruption to the education of our children and the local economy.
“The app will also help us understand if the virus is spreading in a particular area, allowing a speedier response to stop it spreading further.
“Most importantly, the app maintains anonymity for users – it helps track the virus, not individuals.”
The free app is available to download from the App Store or Google Play. Visit https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-covid-19 for more information.
Visit https://www.covid19.nhs.uk/information-and-resources.html for a guide on creating QR posters for a businesses or community venue – now compulsory for venues or businesses with areas open to the public.
Visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/information-coronavirus for the latest information and guidance on Coronavirus.