Britain will trial a new coronavirus tracing programme next week on the Isle of Wight, just off the south coast of England, cabinet minister Michael Gove said on Sunday as the government looks at how to minimise the risk of a second wave of infection.
Suffering one of the worst death tolls in Europe from COVID-19, Britain is confident that the peak of the virus has passed and is now looking at how to restart its shuttered economy and ease social restrictions on citizens.
“This week we will be piloting new test, track and trace procedures on the Isle of Wight with a view to having that in place more widely later this month,” Gove told a news conference. A mass testing system along with the ability to trace people who have been in contact with those who test positive are seen as crucial to preventing a second spike and facilitating the relaxation of a lockdown which has lasted almost six weeks.
Gove said the system being trialled next week would include asking citizens on the island to download a smartphone app as well as traditional ways of tracing those who have come into contact with a patient who has tested positive. “We will be able to make sure that people who are suffering from the virus ... they and their contacts can be encouraged to stay at home, so that we can limit the potential of any outbreak,” Gove said.Reporting by William James; Editing by Estelle Shirbon
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Princess Charlotte Is on a Special Mission in Her New Birthday Portraits: See All 4!Princess Charlotte volunteers amid coronavirus pandemic in her new birthday portraits taken by Kate Middleton
Read more »
Tips for Training Your Dog Via Zoom: Sit, Stay, Don’t Lick the ScreenRichard Fischhof proves you can teach old dogs—and young coronavirus puppies—new tricks.
Read more »
New York coronavirus hospitalizations lowest since March after 19 straight days of declineThe state also saw a decline in new daily coronavirus hospitalizations.
Read more »
India orders coronavirus tracing app for all workersIndia has ordered all public and private sector employees use a government-backed contact tracing app and maintain social distancing in offices as it begins easing some of its lockdown measures in districts less affected by the coronavirus.
Read more »
Apple, Google contact tracing initiatives limited by privacy concerns - Business InsiderThe lack of buy-in for contact tracing programs puts Apple and Google in a double bind that will likely result in a decline of positive consumer sentiment
Read more »
Britain hits coronavirus testing target as death toll leaps againBritain has hit its target of carrying out 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day, health minister Matt Hancock said on Friday, stressing that the programme was crucial to helping ease a national lockdown.
Read more »