Sheffield Covid-19 alert level changes from ‘medium’ to ‘HIGH’ on NHS app

The risk alert levels on the NHS Covid-19 app have changed from ‘medium’ to ‘high’ in Sheffield – but many people have been left confused after some areas were placed into two different alert level categories.
By Kian Rains
Published 14th Oct 2020, 11:27 BST
Updated 14th Oct 2020, 11:30 BST
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The NHS app has changed the Covid-19 risk levels displayed on users devices in line with the system set out by the government on Monday, as the city gears up for the first day of local lockdown restrictions.

The Covid-19 alert level system sets out information for local authorities, residents and workers so that they can adhere to new restrictions that are in place and find out what they can and cannot do in certain places to manage the outbreak in their area.

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The new, three-tier scheme was introduced in the whole of England on Wednesday and Sheffield has been placed in the ‘high’ category after the city saw a substantial rise in cases over the past few weeks.

A screenshot of the NHS COVID-19 (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)A screenshot of the NHS COVID-19 (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
A screenshot of the NHS COVID-19 (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

How to download the NHS Test and Trace and how it tracks coronavirus cases

However, people in Sheffield have been left bewildered after the recent changes on the Covid-19 app.

In some cases, it has shown the wrong alert level even after updating the app.

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Chris Wigg said: “According to the NHS Covid App our risk area is different on 3 different phones. It’s either: High, Medium or Contains High and Medium

“What are you supposed to do with that? Which is right? It was medium on all 3 this time yesterday. I’ve closed and reopened the apps.”

Tom Bassindale said on Twitter: “Nice and clear communication from the NHS app. Maybe my garden is medium but indoors is high? As far as I can see all of S8 is under the High alert restrictions.”

@Laurara31 said on Twitter: “My NHS Covid 19 app still declares my tier 2 area as "medium" risk. Updated it. Now it says "medium", but in orange. There's really no wonder people are baffled and don't know which rules they're meant to be following.”

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Rich Wilkes said: “So me and wife sat next to each other, same postcode, my @NHS #TrackAndTrace app(android) alert level-high...wifes(apple)-medium.”

The news comes as app users recently received false Covid-19 exposure notifications due to a glitch in the software.

Visit www.gov.uk for guidance on restrictions in your area.

Related topics:NHSCovid-19SheffieldEnglandTwitter