New NHS track and trace app launches today. But how does it work?
Features of the app include a self-isolation prompt, ability to book a test and access results, check-in at venues by scanning a QR code, and a tool to check the number of coronavirus cases in a local postcode.
The NHS COVID-19 app has finally been launched in England and Wales – just as the UK enters a second wave of cases.
The government had attempted to launch its own tracing app during the spring – but faced multiple issues during the initial rollout on the Isle of Wight.
A decision was made to switch to a decentralised model with Apple and Google leading development instead, and four months later than initially planned, the app is now ready for the public to download.
Available to anyone aged 16 + and in multiple languages, the NHS app has been labelled an ‘important new tool to work alongside traditional contact tracing to help reduce the spread of the virus.’
The app works by using low-energy Bluetooth to log the amount of time people spend near other app users, and the distance between them.
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Users are alerted if someone close by later tests positive for COVID-19.
Features of the NHS app include a self-isolation prompt, test-booking services with results, ability check-in at venues by scanning a QR code, and a tool to check the number of coronavirus cases in a local postcode.
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The UK’s major mobile network operators, including Vodafone, Three, EE and O2, Sky and Virgin, have confirmed that all in-app activity will not come out of customers’ data allowance.
The government has confirmed that the app does not store personal information and only requires the first half of a postcode.
No personal data is shared with the government or NHS.
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Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We are at a tipping point in our efforts to control the spread of this virus. With infection rates rising we must use every tool at our disposal to prevent transmission, including the latest technology.
“We have worked extensively with tech companies, international partners, and privacy and medical experts – and learned from the trials – to develop an app that is secure, simple to use and will help keep our country safe.
“Today’s launch marks an important step forward in our fight against this invisible killer and I urge everyone who can to download and use the app to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
The NHS Test and Trace team developing the app has worked closely with major tech companies, including Google and Apple, scientists within the Alan Turing Institute and Oxford University, Zuhlke Engineering, medical experts, privacy groups.
Dido Harding, Executive Chair of England’s NHS Test and Trace Programme, commented: “We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to engage with England’s NHS Test and Trace service.
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“The NHS COVID-19 app enables the majority of people with a smartphone to find out if they are at risk of having caught the virus and need to self isolate, order a test if they have symptoms, and access the right guidance and advice.”
Simon Thompson, Managing Director of the NHS COVID-19 App, said he is “confident that every person who downloads the app will be helping to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
“This new version is so much more than just a contact tracing app – it has a range of features which will quickly alert you if you’re at risk of coronavirus,” said Thompson.
“The more people who use it, the better it works.”
The app is available for download on Apple and Google app stores from today for free (24 September).
News
Touching tribute paid to man and his dog who died together in fatal collision
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who was killed in a fatal collision last month, alongside his beloved dog, have paid tribute to him.
Andrew Old, 61, had been walking along Greenwood Road in Wythenshawe when he was struck by a vehicle that had been involved in a collision.
He had been waking his ‘lovely’ dog, Liddy, who also died at the scene.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Sunday 9 March but tragically both Andrew and his beloved pet passed away.
Paying tribute to him, Andrew’s family said: “Andrew was our happy go lucky brother and he is so sadly missed by us all.
“We miss his smiles, his laughter, his jokes and his hourly phone calls.
“Words cannot describe the shock and disbelief that we feel due to the loss of Andrew, we are absolutely devastated.
“Andrew tragically died only metres from his home, whilst walking his lovely dog Liddy.
“The only solace we have is that Andrew and Liddy were not alone at such a horrific time and that they were together. Andrew and Liddy will always be in our hearts.”
You can live in a Greater Manchester manor house from the 1700s
Thomas Melia
There’s a manor house which dates back to the 1700s that’s just gone on the market in Greater Manchester.
Now, obviously, we know Manchester is the best place on Earth and, naturally, people have been wanting to live here since the 18th century (and even earlier).
Westerhill House in Ashton is a property that dates back to 1764, and now you could be the next lucky owner to live in this five-bedroom property, which really is a piece of living history.
The legacy of this property spans more than just this country house site, as the previous tenants – who inhabited the house until 1964 – actually provided the rivets for the Eiffel Tower on behalf of their company, Park Bridge Ironworks.
The grand entrance to this 1700’s manor house in Ashton.The hamlet in which this Greater Manchester property resides.Credit: On The Market
One particular room in this manor house features the work of a well-known Mancunian architect, Donald Reeve Buttress, who spent more than a decade at Westminster Abbey until his departure in 1999.
On the estate agent’s website, each room is described as being individually detailed with its specific role in the house, and if you think you don’t have enough space for all your stuff, think again.
This 1700s character manor house has a room for just about anything you could possibly think of, including a billiard room (posh word for pool) and a wine cellar – I know which room I’ll be accidentally getting myself locked in once a week…
This Ashton historical property spans three floors, with the downstairs being the smallest in size with only one room, while the ground floor boasts 10 and the first floor has eight designated rooms.
As you enter the living space, there is an entrance hall that leads to a bigger hall and a staircase; meanwhile, there is a breakout room immediately on the right side leading to a toilet and a dedicated boot room. Handy.
On your left-hand side as you step through the front door, there is another bigger breakout room which hosts the impressive billiard room and seating area, which is a considerably large space.
The conservatory designed by architect from Westminster Abbey.The main hall which leads to various rooms in this 1700s Ashton manor house.Credit: Supplied
Step through to the main hall and you’ll find doors leading to the dining room, kitchen space and a lounge which has an adjoining conservatory.
It’s this very conservatory that was designed by none other than Buttress himself, who worked at Westminster Abbey for 11 years as the ‘Surveyor of the Fabric’.
Any loyal Ashtonians will also be impressed with the stained glass window in the inner hallway, which also happens to contain a depiction of the ‘Black Knight of Ashton-Under-Lyne‘.
Moving upstairs, you find a wide landing which leads to all four bedrooms and three bathrooms, two of which are en-suites.
This 1700s manor house is currently listed for offers in the region of £750,000, and although it may be historic in age and interior, in terms of broadband, the property apparently has super-fast broadband.
The billiard room with adjoining seating area.Curved seating area overlooking the stunning garden space.
Ever get bored of looking around this magnificent and interesting mansion’s four walls? This house is situated in a lovely hamlet located close to Daisy Nook Country Park.
Of course, we understand that a lot of us reading certainly can’t afford a property of this nature, but when the manor house is rooted in this much history, it would be rude not to have a snoop on the official site.
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough browsing for you, there’s a three-bed coach house up for sale in this same exact Ashton hamlet, also dating back to the 1700s. Cool, right?
The Manc -
24th September 2020 
