Avoiding Covid testing and tracing...

[Warhertisuff]

How prevalent do people think deliberately not getting tested when symptomatic is, or removing NHS app from phone is, as people try to avoid being caught in enforced isolation?

I'm thinking it's probably extremely high... and that case numbers are even more of the tip of the iceberg than was previously the case, especially as symptoms of Delta are less distinct.

Yup! Also with symptoms. A mum was trying to argue her kid into school this morning with a bad cough and no test/

From comments on MN, I'd say it's fairly prevalent. There are plenty of idiots about.

Probably but I don’t think it’s going to be by absolutely huge numbers.

I’m basing that off the fact that the ZOE (tracks symptoms) numbers are broadly similar to the reported case numbers. There are always going to be very mild or asymptomatic cases but I think the current figures are probably about right.

@Cornettoninja

Probably but I don’t think it’s going to be by absolutely huge numbers.

I’m basing that off the fact that the ZOE (tracks symptoms) numbers are broadly similar to the reported case numbers. There are always going to be very mild or asymptomatic cases but I think the current figures are probably about right.

But ZOE data will only be people who care enough to continue to use it. It's not really representative... Those who are avoiding reporting are hardly likely to be using ZOE!

Highly likely. So many people cannot afford to be off work.

The app isn't fit for purpose though.

And as @Bargebill19 says, many can't afford to isolate every five minutes.

@Warhertisuff True, but ZOE is estimates based off those who report it’s not the number of users who report symptoms. They’ve accounted for a lot of variables (including asymptomatic) and have a very good track record. They adjust their estimation formulas when needed like recently they adjusted their estimates to take into consideration the vaccinated and a different presentation of symptoms.

[quote Cornettoninja]@Warhertisuff True, but ZOE is estimates based off those who report it’s not the number of users who report symptoms. They’ve accounted for a lot of variables (including asymptomatic) and have a very good track record. They adjust their estimation formulas when needed like recently they adjusted their estimates to take into consideration the vaccinated and a different presentation of symptoms.[/quote]
But I wonder if there's been a change over the past couple of months, and Covid fatigue is more prevalent than it was in earlier phases of the pandemic, with a majority now "past caring". The fewer people who engage with Zoe, the less accurate it will be... The fact that it corresponds with cases only demonstrates that those who engage with Zoe are more likely to play by the rules in terms of testing etc.

ZOE goes through peaks and troughs. There are days that there aren’t enough contributors in some areas so they won’t be included in the estimates because they don’t have enough data to make a reliable calculation. You can see them on their daily map. They’ve always made allowances in their calculations for asymptomatic which would capture some of the milder cases which would enable people to avoid T&T and testing.

I’m not entirely sure it’s true that people are avoiding testing as much as you’re implying they are. Anecdotally, from MN, I’ve seen a lot of people say they won’t engage with the app or LFT testing but they would PCR test for symptoms. Probably because they wouldn’t be able to access things like schools and childcare with symptoms. Performed test numbers are also rising but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this go down through the summer holidays.

I am avoiding any testing, apps and contact tracing. Most people I speak to are. Unless you need to access hospital or have symptoms and need to access school or want time off work, there is no benefit to the majority of individuals/families. Especially since the announcements re 19th July. And 80k at football, 100s in pubs, Wimbledon, ascot etc. No mitigation in schools and many work places.

Ds currently at home due to bubble bursting yesterday, 45 cases in dds comp last week. Yet local hospital has 2 covid patients, non on ventilation and both patients went in for non covid reasons.

Why would I test and potentially isolate us all plus close contacts? For something so harmful you may not know you have it or wonder if it's a cold? And vulnerable vaccinated?

It's not covid fatigue, it's people realising that covid is here to stay and acting accordingly.

If it is prevalent, that only proofs that this virus is not as dangerous as described.

@HighlandCowbag

Agree. We don’t have any of the apps relating covid testing or tracing. We don’t do the test stick thing. Can’t afford to on no pay then ssp. Nearly every working person we know are exactly the same. The one that isn’t - gets full sick pay and treats it like extra paid holiday.

@Cornettoninja

Performed test numbers are also rising but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this go down through the summer holidays.

It's already summer holidays here and i don't think there's been a decrease in testing or cases.

Are you really surprised people aren't using the app? It's not fit for purpose. I'm not isolating because my neighbour in the flat upstairs tests positive and I get pinged by the app, why would I?

I've deleted the app.

Luckily I have never been pinged yet, but it was only a matter of time.

If I am genuinely a close contact of a positive case then I will definitely isolate.

I don't use public transport and I am socially distancing from people I don't know and will continue to do so.

@DumplingsAndStew ah bugger. I was holding onto a thread of hope that case numbers picked up from schools might make them more palatable, we don’t break up till 22/06.

Testing doesn’t make much difference to hospital admissions really, people go if they need to test or not. If the numbers of people presenting to hospital are rising then cases only really act as a warning of what’s coming in the future.

I never installed the app to start with so uninstalling it is not a crime I am guilty of.

If I have symptoms I'll test, if the kids have symptoms they'll test but I'm not obsessively running to the test centre for a twinge in my big toe like some on here seem to advocate.

Yet local hospital has 2 covid patients, non on ventilation and both patients went in for non covid reasons.

Our local hospital is full, they have had to open a third covid ward and are trying to get bone covid patients discharged quicker to free up more beds.

Whilst overall the numbers are low there are real hotspots across the country, i see local lockdowns being used passed 19th July now, it’s too late to make a full uturn

People seemingly seem to be getting tested here as we also have a very high case rate

Deleted the app. It was causing me severe health anxiety as I was constantly checking it and it was becoming obsessive and unhealthy. I’ve followed all the rules from the start. If I had symptoms I’d test if I knew I was a genuine close contact I’d test. But for my own sanity the app had to go.

I never downloaded the app to begin with. I know who I am in contact with, and we've always let each other know if we have something that's contagious.

If we have symptoms we will test, just like if we had symptoms of something else that could be tested we would.

The rat tests aren't worth the paper or the plastic, they've missed loads in ds school.

I have been very compliant with the rules but I refuse to have an app that it is not fit for purpose. If it was, then I’d happily download it. I do twice weekly LFTs and would test if I had symptoms plus I manually check in wherever I go but ‘no way!’ to the useless NHS app.

I’d be more surprised that someone was still using the app. I don’t know anyone that is.

I’d test if I had symptoms but not otherwise.

Very high.

There has been no clear government mandate that states people do not have to pay mortgages/rent/council tax/TV licence/utility bills/travel demands.

So people go to work. To pay for things. They have done for 18 months.

The lucky ones are those who have received 80% of wages staying at home. Those who are in jobs that pay 100% of pay if they have been required to work/go off sick - or pay 80% furlough, plus 20% top up. Those who are retired on 100% guaranteed money etc etc

@PTW1234

Yet local hospital has 2 covid patients, non on ventilation and both patients went in for non covid reasons.

Our local hospital is full, they have had to open a third covid ward and are trying to get bone covid patients discharged quicker to free up more beds.

Whilst overall the numbers are low there are real hotspots across the country, i see local lockdowns being used passed 19th July now, it’s too late to make a full uturn

People seemingly seem to be getting tested here as we also have a very high case rate

But if the U.K. doesn’t care about the rest of the world, why should I care about another part of England/Wales/Scotland/NI?

Wimbledon. Cricket. Car racing. Horse racing. Football etc

Attendees will have stopped the ping notice. If they had it activated at all.