UK says test result issue on England's Covid-19 app resolved

An issue with England's Covid-19 smartphone app, launched to curb the spread of the virus, which meant it could not accept around a third of test results has been resolved, the government said on Sunday.

The app's official account had said on Saturday it could not link to test results taken in Public Health England laboratories, via the National Health Service or as part of a survey run by the Office for National Statistics.

"Everyone who receives a positive test result can log their result on the app," a health ministry spokesman said.

"A minority of people, such as hospital patients, who were unable to log their positive result can now request a code when contacted by NHS Test and Trace to input on their app."

The NHS COVID-19 app was launched this week, four months later than expected. It uses Bluetooth signals to log when a user is in close contact with another user, generally meaning within two metres for 15 minutes or more.

If someone then tests positive for COVID-19, they can share the result anonymously with their close contacts, who will each receive an alert and will have to isolate for 14 days.

The app's launch comes as Britain braces for a second wave of infections, with daily cases numbers rising at rates not seen since the peak of the pandemic. Testing capacity has also increased.

(with inputs from agencies)