'Pingdemic': NHS Covid app alerts fall by 20% as self-isolation rules set to be scrapped
The number of people told to self-isolate by the NHS Covid app has fallen by 20%, latest government figures have shown.
A total of 317,132 alerts were sent to users of the NHS Covid-19 app in England and Wales in the week to August 4, telling them they had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus.
Figures from Test and Trace also showed that positive test results fell by 5% from the previous week, with total of 179,748 people tested positive for Covid-19 in England at least once in the week to August 4.
Alerts sent by the app have been falling for three consecutive weeks, a positive sign for businesses which have been struggling to stay open due to staff shortages caused by huge numbers of people being told to self-isolate - a so-called 'pingdemic'.
It's possible the most recent drop in alerts was caused by a tweak to the app made by the government to reduce the number of people being 'pinged', in order to ease the burden of self-isolation rules on businesses.
But it could have been caused by large numbers of people deleting the app in order to avoid self-isolation.
In any case, the impact of self-isolation on businesses will fall further from Monday, when the rules are eased for anyone who is fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or aged under 18.
After being alerted by the app, people will be expected to take a coronavirus test which, if negative, will mean they can avoid isolation.
Anyone who tests positive will still be legally required to self-isolate.
People alerted by the app are advised to take a PCR test rather than a rapid lateral flow test - a piece of guidance that has been criticised.
Asked why people will not be forced to take a more accurate PCR test, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "It's because of the vaccines - it's good if you can to get a PCR test, even if you are double vaccinated".
Sajid Javid: The move away from self-isolation is a 'huge step forward':
"But it is advice," he added, "and I hope most people will follow it".
He said the move away from self-isolation for the double-jabbed is "another huge step back towards our normal lives."
He said: “Asking the close contacts of people with COVID-19 to self-isolate has played a critical role in helping us get this virus under control, and millions of people across the UK have made enormous sacrifices by doing this. "Every single one of these sacrifices has helped us protect the NHS and save lives.
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“Getting two doses of a vaccine has tipped the odds in our favour and allowed us to safely reclaim our lost freedoms, and from Monday we can take another huge step back towards our normal lives by removing self-isolation requirements for double jabbed people who are contacts of people with COVID-19.
"Double jabbed people who test positive will still need to self-isolate.
“Vaccines are what will bring this pandemic to an end – the wall of defence provided by the rollout is allowing us to get even closer to normal life. If you haven’t already, please make sure you come forward for your jab at the earliest opportunity.”