Select a region
The covid alert app was one of the big features of the early stages of the covid pandemic - but despite restrictions steadily easing until they have all but fallen away completely, it looks like the app still has a role to play.
With Jersey's officially confirmed covid cases sitting at 2,419 as of Thursday evening, the government is asking anyone who gets a positive lateral flow test result to upload it to the covid app.
Officials say that once the positive test result is uploaded to the government's website, then the positive islander will automatically receive a six-digit code by SMS.
This code can then be entered into a section of the covid alert app called ‘Tested positive for COVID-19’.
Any close contacts from the previous 72 hours who are also using the app will receive an ‘Exposure Notification’ on their device and are then advised to do daily tests for ten days. Those contacts do not need to isolate, as long as they they are not showing symptoms, or have not tested positive.
Anyone who receives a positive LFT result should submit the result online, book a confirmatory PCR test, and isolate away from others until they get a negative PCR test result.
If they get a positive PCR test result, the isolation rules are here.
Pictured: the government is urging islanders to start using the covid app again to alert close contacts if they catch covid.
Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf, said: “This new digital feature allows Islanders to anonymously alert their close contacts sooner than previously possible. This means that positive cases may be identified more quickly as direct contacts are advised to test themselves with an LFT.
“I am aware that a number of Islanders may be hesitant to inform close contacts if they are positive with COVID-19, so the app is a brilliant way to do this anonymously. I would encourage Islanders to download the app if they haven’t already done so, as we continue to de-escalate measures and learn to live with COVID-19 in this new normal way of life.”
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.