Coronavirus: Britons share coronavirus symptoms to help the NHS – how you can help
Coronavirus symptoms are mostly mild in around 80 percent of cases. Think you’ve had the virus? Report your symptoms to help the NHS.
The Department of Health and Social Care declared on Saturday April 4 that a new Coronavirus Status Checker will help the NHS coordinate its response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The survey has been launched by Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock – who himself had been infected, and since recovered, from Covid-19.
Its aim is to “help the NHS understand more about how and where coronavirus (Covid-19) is affecting people.”
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The data collected from the public is only to be collected by the NHS and trusted organisations.
Britons with potential coronavirus symptoms are being asked to complete the short survey which will tell the NHS about their experience.
No matter how mild the symptoms may be, Britons are being encouraged to fill out the online survey – which is now live.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified various symptoms of Covid-19.
These include: fever, tiredness, dry cough, aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat and diarrhoea.
The survey is not, however, an advice tool for those displaying symptoms of Covid-19.
Instead, those worrying about their symptoms are advised to visit the NHS 111 online service.
What the survey achieves, however, is to gather data to help co-ordinate where resources and additional staff may be needed. Resources include ventilators.
It’s also a tool to provide invaluable insight into the development and progression of the virus across the country.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “We must learn as much as possible about this virus, and we are asking the whole nation to join this effort.
“If anyone has experienced symptoms of Covid-19, I would urge you to use our new status checker app to help us to collect essential information on the virus.
“It allows us to better allocate NHS resources where they are needed most.”
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He continued: “Technology and data is playing a vital role in battling coronavirus and supporting our heroic NHS frontline workers to save lives, protect the vulnerable, and relive pressure on the NHS.”
The creators of independent apps and websites, which have already collected similar data, have agreed to work alongside the government.
They’ve agreed to work openly with the NHS and align their products and data as part of this central, national effort.
The Coronavirus Status Checker can be completed by people who displayed symptoms of Covid-19, or on the behalf of someone else.
The questions in the survey include the following:
- Why they are staying at home
- To choose from a series of options to describe how they are feeling
- Whether they have any other health problems
- Their date of birth
- Their postcode
- How many people are living in their home.
The Strategic Incident Director NHS England, Professor Keith Willett, said: “We know large volumes of people are visiting NHS 111 online each day, reporting potential coronavirus symptoms and being advised to self-isolate.
“And it will be hugely valuable for the NHS if we can learn more about these people and their experiences.
“By taking a few moments to answer these questions, you can play your part in helping the NHS put its resources in the right places, at the right time, to save lives.”
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