Coronavirus test and trace system: How does it work?

As lockdown restrictions are slowly being eased across the UK, the NHS is set to launch its new ‘test and trace’ app at the end of June 2020. The app is designed to identify people who might have been exposed to others who have already tested positive for coronavirus. We look at how the app will work and how it can help us fight the virus.

How will ‘test and trace’ help fight the virus?

The ‘test and trace’ service will help to control the rate of reproduction of the virus, reduce the spread of infection and save lives. According to the UK government, by using the system you can help in the following ways:
 

• If you develop symptoms, you must continue to self-isolate with other members of your household and order a test to find out if you have the virus.
• If you test positive, you must share information immediately about your recent contacts through the ‘test and trace’ app so that you can be contacted.
• If you have had close recent contact with someone who has coronavirus, you must self-isolate if the NHS ‘test and trace’ service advises you to. 

This guidance applies to England. The remaining three administrations are working closely together to ensure a consistent approach to using the tool across all of the UK and Northern Ireland.
 

What are the main symptoms of coronavirus?

The most obvious symptoms of COVID-19 include a high temperature, a new continuous cough and loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.
 

How does the ‘test and trace’ service work?

There are two parts to the system:
 

For someone showing symptoms of COVID-19
 

1. Isolate - as soon as you experience coronavirus symptoms. You must isolate for at least seven days. If you live in a shared household, anyone else must self-isolate for 14 days. 
2. Test - order a test from the NHS website here.
3. Results - if your results are positive, you must continue to isolate for the remaining seven days and your household must continue to complete their isolation. If your test comes back negative, you and the people who you live with no longer need to self-isolate.
4. Share contacts - if you test positive, the ‘test and trace’ service will send you a text, or email or call you with instructions of how to share details of people that you have had close contact with and the recent places that you have visited. You will have to provide this information online via a secure website or over the phone by a ‘contact tracer.’

If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive
 

1. Alert - you will be alerted by text, email or via a phone call if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. You are then to log on to the NHS ‘test and trace’ website. Those under 18 will receive a call and a parent or guardian will be asked to give permission for the call to continue.
2. Isolate - you will have to self-isolate for 14 days even if you don’t feel unwell because you could become infectious to others at any point during this time frame. Those whom you live with do not need to self-isolate if you are not showing symptoms. 
3. Test (if needed) - if you do start to develop symptoms of coronavirus, your household members must self-isolate immediately for 14 days. You must book a test or call 119 if you do not have internet access. If your results are positive, you are to continue to self-isolate and a tracer will be in touch to ask about your contacts. If the test is negative, you must still complete the self-isolation period as the virus may not be detectable as of yet.

How can I order a test?

If you think you are displaying symptoms of coronavirus, you must order a test through the NHS website. If you do not have access to the internet, you must phone 119. 

There are many potential ways to be tested, including drive-through regional testing sites, mobile testing units, test kits being home-delivered and hospital-based testing for NHS patients and staff.
 

When can we expect the ‘test and trace’ system to be fully running?

Dido Harding, the leader of the NHS Test and Trace scheme, told MPs that it won’t be ready until the end of June.
 

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