No need yet for contact tracing apps in the Channel Islands

Contact tracer Andrea Tostevin says they've learnt to become more efficient. Moving from paper notes to entering information on a computer Credit: States of Guernsey

Contact tracers have played a huge role in tracking and slowing the rate of infection in the Channel Islands.

Guernsey appears to be only days away from zero active cases ofCovid-19, as the island passes day 20 with no new confirmed cases.

In the early days of tracking the virus, contact tracers in Guernsey were working 60 hour weeks, clocking in every day for approximately three weeks.

Tracers were also early to spot the now recognised symptom of loss of taste and smell.

Meanwhile Jersey has ramped up contact tracing as they increase the number of staff from 24 to 55.

Both Guernsey and Jersey say right now there is no need for a phone app, like the one being trialed by the NHS on the Isle of Wight.

But Jersey has not stopped researching what apps could work on the island.

The NHS is trialing a contact tracing app on the Isle of Wight. Credit: ITV News
Dr Nicola Brink is skeptical about smartphone apps being appropriate for Guernsey. Credit: ITV Channel

Health bosses in Guernsey have been more reluctant to commit to any kind of contact tracing app.

In a recent briefing Guernsey's director of public health said these apps are too dependent on everyone on the island carrying smartphones.

Dr Nicola Brink also raised the issue of privacy concerns and how data would be collected.