In the hopes of tracking the spread of the COVID-19 disease, scientists have launched a new coronavirus symptom-tracking app.
The app, called COVID Symptom Tracker, was developed by researchers from King’s College London with the aim of slowing the outbreak.
Professor Tim Spector, who is leading the project, explained: “The more of the public that also use the app, the better the real-time data we will have to combat the outbreak in this country.”
The researchers believe the data from the app will reveal important information about the symptoms and progress of the disease in different people, and why some go on to develop more severe or fatal disease while others only have mild symptoms.
The data could also help doctors to distinguish mild coronavirus symptoms from seasonal coughs and colds.
How to use the app
If you’d like to help, you can download the app for free from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll be prompted to create an account and answer some basic questions, including your height, weight, age and postcode.
The app will also ask you about your health, including whether you suffer from diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease.
Finally, you’ll be asked to answer questions about whether you’ve been tested for COVID-19, and any symptoms you’re experiencing, including fever, a persistent cough and fatigue.
The idea is that you submit responses to the questionnaire every day, allowing the scientists to track the spread of the disease across the UK.
A message on the app reads: “We would appreciate it if you could check back in tomorrow if you feel up to it. Knowing how you are progressing is extremely helpful for our research.”
