The Government has admitted the NHS test and trace app has been set at the wrong sensitivity. The software glitch has meant individuals whose “risk score” should have triggered a coronavirus infection alert were not contacted. day Times has reported a Government source saying the numbers of app users being sent coronavirus warnings were “shockingly low”.
The Government endorsed track and test app was released on September 24.
Android users seem to be the worst hit from the glitch.
The news of the glitch comes after the Bluetooth-enabled app received a recent software update.
Some users of the app have also received notifications saying they’d been near someone with coronavirus.
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Gaby Appleton, the new director of the Test and Trace app, said new software updates have improved distance estimates for the Bluetooth aspect of the app.
The director said: “The update to the risk threshold is expected to increase the number of people asked to self-isolate by the app, having been in close contact with someone who tested positive.
“We believe lowering the threshold is necessary to reduce the R rate and break the chain of transmission.”
Ms Appleton said “the ‘risk threshold’ was due to be lowered last week but this change never took place.
Currently, 19 million people use the app in the UK.
Officials have yet to release information on the number of people being told to isolate by the app.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has claimed the app is “an important step forward in our fight against this invisible killer”.
