GPs in Cornwall are asking people to download and use a new app to help track and slow down the spread of the coronavirus.
The free COVID symptom tracker has been launched by researchers at Kings’ College London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, and is available at https://covid.joinzoe.com/.
The app helps identify possible coronavirus infections by asking people to take one minute each day to self-report symptoms, even if they feel well, in an attempt to better understand the pandemic.
So far, 10,346 people in Cornwall have contributed to the research with an estimated 1% showing coronavirus symptoms. The data collected will be used to help health and care workers develop their response to the Covid-19 outbreak, says NHS Kernow chairman Dr Ian Chorlton.
’The more people who sign up to this app the better we will understand how to respond to the virus in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly,’ he said.
’It gives us advanced warning of potential increase in demand, so we can flex and adapt our services to cope. This will be even more important once any lockdown measures are relaxed. COVID-19 is not going away soon and we will want to spot any upturn in an outbreak as soon as possible.’