Apple software stops tracing in its tracks

By Tim Le Couilliard, Newgate Public Affairs

Today saw a big change to the government’s test and trace app plans, although perhaps not quite being another “U-turn”. Previously the NHS had been developing a specific UK app, whilst Apple and Google had been making their own. Both have been proven to have issues, and so Matt Hancock today announced the two groups will now work together, taking the best bits from both. In short, one app has been able to measure distance, but does not work with Apple products, whilst one has not been able to adequately measure distance but does work with Apple. For now, “good old fashioned” human tracing is in operation. 

Hancock was joined at the podium by Dido Harding, the head of NHS Track and Trace. They stated that the data shows that the system is “currently working well and constantly improving”. Wanting to be “upfront and open about the challenges” around the current app, Hancock stated that the Isle of Wight test has flagged a “technical barrier”. Namely, Apple software prevents iPhones from being used effectively for contact tracing, unless you are using Apple’s own technology. 

The government states it has been working on both its app and the Google / Apple app in parallel, to keep options open. The Google / Apple app, according to Hancock, does not measure distance well enough – a “mission-critical” issue.  This means therefore that neither apps work in their current form. Therefore, the government is now working with Google / Apple to bring the two systems together and utilise the best bits of both. In the meantime, “good old fashioned” human tracing will still be operational by the NHS, and is “working well.” 

Hancock was pleased to announce the findings of a new PHE report today that shows that the number of UK deaths last week does not exceed the number of deaths that are expected at this time of year. This is the first time this has been the case since mid-March.  

On vaccines, Hancock urged people to continue to take vaccines unrelated to coronavirus, calling on people not to fall behind on the vaccines for other diseases. On Covid-19 vaccines, Hancock announced that as of this week, the Imperial vaccine is in its first stage of human trials and AstraZeneca has struck a deal to manufacture the Oxford vaccine, ahead of approval, in order to build up a stockpile should it be clinically proven. Today has also seen the publishing of the proposed priority of vaccines receivers, prioritising “those in most need” – starting with front line healthcare and social care workers, and those with increased risk of death from Covid-19. 

Elsewhere today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that Scotland has moved into the second phase of its “route map” and shops are set to reopen from 29^th June. People will also be able to meet outdoors with two other households at the same time and “extended groups” are now able to be formed. Northern Ireland has now reduced its social distancing distance in schools to 1 meter and announced that hairdressers can open from 6^th July. 

Another big announcement of the day came in the form of an additional Bank of England £100bn bond-buying programme, intending to provide even more quantitative easing of the economy. There is now £745bn in the Bank’s response to Covid-19. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee also confirmed that interest rates will remain at a record low of 0.1%. Somewhat positively, the Bank also stated that there is “growing evidence that the hit to the economy would be less severe than initially feared”, despite warnings from the Governor Andrew Bailey that the outlook remains “uncertain”. Still, a more positive note than the ONS data released earlier this week showing that the UK economy shrank by 20% during April.