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Original poster

I’ve just been pinged as a ‘close contact’ but have now idea how

66 replies

Rainallnight · 03/07/2021 22:14

My NHS Covid app just pinged and told me I’m a close contact of someone who has Covid and that I must isolate for 8 days.

I have no idea where this has come from. I’ve not checked in anywhere for absolutely ages and I don’t know personally anyone who’s tested positive.

Has this happened to anyone else? I’ve got two young DC and this’ll make life so bloody difficult.

I think I’d feel better about it if I just understood what’s got me in this situation

OP posts:
BlueSurfer · 03/07/2021 22:16

Where were you three days ago? The app will pick up other people’s apps; it’s not just checking in to somewhere.

Maggiethehorserustler · 03/07/2021 22:16

This happened to me too. I was told that even if you don't check in on the app, but you have your Bluetooth on, they can still track you and ping you.

JoanOgden · 03/07/2021 22:18

Did you have contact tracing turned on? If so it could be someone at the supermarket, or even apparently on the other side of a wall. There is no legal obligation to isolate following an app notification, but obviously you should be careful in case you have caught it.

Original poster
Rainallnight · 03/07/2021 22:19

Oh wow, so is it tracking you even if you’ve not checked in anywhere?

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainallnight · 03/07/2021 22:20

@BlueSurfer Is it definitely three days? That would be a good clue if so

OP posts:
kimlo · 03/07/2021 22:22

you can look under settings and it will say what day the contact was.

Original poster
Rainallnight · 03/07/2021 22:22

And sorry for the typo in the title. It’s supposed to be no idea

OP posts:
Chihuahuacat · 03/07/2021 22:23

If you go into settings it will tell you the date you were exposed.

It’s happened to me a couple of times (one from the day I went to the vaccination centre….)

BlueSurfer · 03/07/2021 22:24

[quote Rainallnight]@BlueSurfer Is it definitely three days? That would be a good clue if so[/quote]
It’s ten days after the day of exposure so if you pinged today, you came into contact with them on Thursday as presumably you are already on day two.

Ostryga · 03/07/2021 22:24

Just delete the app. Your not legally required to isolate unless T&T contact you.

Obviously people may disagree with this, but it’s legal!

Ostryga · 03/07/2021 22:25

You’re!

Eachpeachpears · 03/07/2021 22:29

And this is why I don't have the app.
I would personally ignore it, op. If you don't know where it has come from, it's too easy to be a fuck up for me to take it seriously and disrupt my life over

christyt114 · 03/07/2021 22:32

This happened to my friend. It turned out it was her next door neighbour - it picked her up as a contact through the wall!

So she phoned track&trace up and was told it's only advisory.

So she deleted the app and carried on with her life.

Original poster
Rainallnight · 03/07/2021 22:33

Thanks @Chihuahuacat that helps a lot.

Fuck, the ‘encounter date’ on the app does actually make sense. I went to a charity concert and there was no checking in but if the app picks it up automatically, then that’ll be it. Fuck

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 03/07/2021 22:35

The App must be making people isolate all over the place. I have heard so many reports about how it's not fit for purpose.
I thought it was supposed to be picking up close contact with someone who went on to test positive for more than 15 minutes but it's much more sensitive than that, it's phones picking up other phones basically.

dementedpixie · 03/07/2021 22:38

@Rainallnight

Oh wow, so is it tracking you even if you’ve not checked in anywhere?
Yes it works on Bluetooth. Nothing to do with checking in. There's a bit on the app that tells you when contact was
HarveySpectorWins · 03/07/2021 22:38

Can I ask a question about this, not being goady I've just seen other threads like this and I always wonder for the person saying don't isolate and don't take any notice of it why have the app in the first place?
I don't and can still check in places using the qr code or writing my name down. Why have it if you aren't going to pay any notice?

dementedpixie · 03/07/2021 22:40

I agree. If you're going to ignore it then why have the app in the first place

Original poster
Rainallnight · 03/07/2021 22:41

I’m not ignoring it, for the record. I’m bloody pissed off, though

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 03/07/2021 22:42

@Sparklingbrook

The App must be making people isolate all over the place. I have heard so many reports about how it's not fit for purpose. I thought it was supposed to be picking up close contact with someone who went on to test positive for more than 15 minutes but it's much more sensitive than that, it's phones picking up other phones basically.
That's the whole premise of the app. It judges whether you have been in contact within 2m for 15 minutes/closer than 1m for a minute or so using Bluetooth. It can be a cumulative 15 minutes so doesn't necessarily mean 15 minutes all at once.
Sparklingbrook · 03/07/2021 22:44

It seems that people don't really wonder what the app involves or how it works until you get pinged. Maybe they downloaded it to check into places but didn't realise it's constantly scanning unless you switch the scanning off.
They get pinged then wish they never had downloaded it probably. I would imagine lots get rid of it after the first alert and period of isolation to avoid another.

Original poster
Rainallnight · 03/07/2021 22:45

Yes, hands up, I did not understand that. Sad

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 03/07/2021 22:46

That's the whole premise of the app. It judges whether you have been in contact within 2m for 15 minutes/closer than 1m for a minute or so using Bluetooth. It can be a cumulative 15 minutes so doesn't necessarily mean 15 minutes all at once.

I am not convinced about the premise or accuracy of the App TBH. Too many variables.

dementedpixie · 03/07/2021 22:46

Don't download it then

KaybeeL · 03/07/2021 22:46

My husband is in the middle of isolation because of the app.
As people have said it's based on your phone being within 2m of another phone who's user has inputted a positive result.
For him we think it was probably the gym or specsavers as they were the two places where he was in one place for a length of time. No one really socially distances to 2m out and about these days so it's totally possible to be close to someone for 15 mins over an hour or two.
It's been a huge pain in the arse but he's stuck to it because he couldn't deal with how he'd have felt if he turned out to be positive and passed it on to other people.
Once this is over we will delete the app because if you don't know, you can't do anything!! But if you do know, then you might find it hard to pretend you don't...
He got a PCR COVID test on day 5 as by then we would expect it to be showing up
If he did have it and it was negative so he's going to go for a run tomorrow but still make sure he's not near anyone etc.

It's totally up to you what you do.'you could maybe just be cautious and get tested if it will put your mind at ease? x

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