'OK' for Swindon residents to delete NHS app IF they follow COVID rules, says Public Health Director
We have spoken to Steve Maddern as people across the town continue to get 'pinged'
Last updated 9th Aug 2021
One of Swindon's major health bosses has spoken-out on the so-called 'pingdemic', as people using the NHS COVID-19 app continue to be told to isolate.
In the seven days up to July 28th, a total of 395,971 alerts were sent.
The app was subsequently updated, to ensure fewer contacts of people who had contracted Coronavirus were told to isolate.
Despite this, some residents across our region have still deleted the software in recent days.
Steve Maddern, Swindon's Director of Public Health, says it's "OK" if people choose to remove the app - so long as they follow the government's COVID guidance.
'Make sure that you are complying with those guidelines'
"We know it (NHS app) has caused headaches across the system, across the last few weeks," he told Greatest Hits Radio.
"I would be encouraging people still to have the app on their phone. It's a really useful tool, to understand COVID locally.
"If you are choosing to delete your app, and I know people are doing so, then I would say that in some ways that's OK. But, by doing that, you really need to make sure that you are complying with those guidelines".
Throughout the pandemic, Ministers have urged people to wear masks in public - especially busier places - clean their hands regularly and remain at least two metres from others.
'You're only going to be contacted if you are breaching that two metre distance'
From August 16th, Swindon residents who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to isolate, even if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.
Anyone aged under 18 will also be exempt from isolation when 'pinged' by the app,
People will only be deemed fully vaccinated once they have received both doses of a Coronavirus vaccine - and at least two weeks have passed since their second jab.
For anyone not fully vaccinated, who will still be told to isolate when the app notifies their smartphones, Mr Maddern has a stark message: "You're only going to be contacted through the app, if you are breaching that two metre distance for a set period of time.
"So if you can assure yourself that you're not going to come within two metres of other people, then your risk is incredibly low".