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By: Communications
The University is fully supporting the new NHS Covid-19 Test and Trace App, which launched today (Thursday 24 September), and urges all staff and students to download and use it.
The App will alert you if you have been near those who have tested positive, inform you of the level of risk in your postcode, check if you have the symptoms of coronavirus, help you book a test and get the result, and give advice on self-isolation and a countdown timer.
There is also a ‘check-in’ feature, which means you will be alerted if you have recently visited a venue where you may have come into contact with the virus. You will see QR codes at campus locations such as cafes, restaurants and the Sainsbury Centre. By scanning the QR code on entry, you will build up a digital diary on your phone of the venues you have visited. This can support discussions with contact tracers if you become ill with coronavirus, and means important public health messages can be sent to relevant app users’ phones if needed.
It is important to note that all information collected by the new App is stored anonymously on your phone – not centrally. This makes it very secure and means your personal information and privacy are well-protected. While you will be able to see all of the data stored on your phone, neither the NHS nor the government will be able to view or access it - nor will they be able to monitor or identify you, or track your location. (The App uses Bluetooth Low Energy to detect how far apart you have been from other users and for how long.)
Mark Barry, Director of IT at UEA, said: “The new NHS App will be an important way to fight the spread of the virus, reduce the impact of a second wave, and improve campus safety.
“After meeting with the NHS team and hearing about the technology, I was impressed with the approach to privacy, which I know is a concern. The design of the App ensures that each of us is in control of our personal data and that data is not shared centrally.
“As part of a close-knit university community, I believe we each have a personal responsibility to download and use the App. Let’s work together to keep our campus and local community safe as we enter this critical phase of the pandemic.”
The University is committed to using all tools at our disposal to slow the spread of the virus. This includes the NRP testing scheme for students and staff working on campus, which was recently piloted and is due to launch at the beginning of the new semester. This initiative will run parallel with, and is complementary to, the new NHS App and we would urge all staff and students to take part in both initiatives.
To download the NHS COVID-19 App, search for “NHSCOVID-19” in the App Store / Google Play Store on your phone.
For more information about the App visit: https://www.covid19.nhs.uk/
If you have any concerns about the new NHS app, please contact covidresponseteam@uea.ac.uk
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