A new NHS app has been released today for testing on the Isle of Wight. The app is designed to track the spread of coronavirus and notify the user if they have recently been in contact with someone infected.

The government have made it clear that its privacy is of their upmost concern. If the test is successful, the Government will look to launching the app across the whole country.

The app works using Bluetooth technologies. When two app users are within a certain distance of each other, the connection will be established on the app. Later if the person becomes ill, they will notify the app who will then trace all the connections and notify those users.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has urged everyone on the Isle of Wight to download the app but maintain social distancing rules.

Many UK care homes have reported having little personal protection equipment (PPE) in stock despite promises from the UK government of upcoming PPE deliveries. This report comes after a sharp rise of care home deaths with preliminary reports suggesting many of them to be COVID-19 related.

Currently only 217 care home deaths have been reported up to 3 April however the National Care Forum (NCF) estimates this number to rise to more than 4,000 people. Currently there is over 15,500 care homes in the UK which suggests a severe level of PPE is required.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that the UK government “are increasing PPE supplies to social care” through “creating a supply logistics and distribution network of an unprecedented scale.” Public Health England have also uploaded guidance videos for care workers to follow when using PPE equipment as well as advice and FAQs on the government website.

Care workers are also calling out for better testing of residents and workers. Some homes have reported that NHS patients have moved into spare beds and are showing COVID-19 symptoms causing panic within the home. In his government briefing Health Secretary Matt Hancock also confirmed that they have “introduced testing for all social care colleagues and members of their household” as part of their monthly testing target, similar to that of NHS workers.