New 'test, track and trace' app CAN stop second winter coronavirus peak, claims Sir Patrick Vallance

A second peak of coronavirus cases can be avoided with the help of the NHS's new contact-tracing app. The 'test, track and trace' app works via Bluetooth and will alert people if they have been in close contact with someone who later fell ill with COVID-19. 

The Government is preparing to partially lift social distancing rules as part of an exit strategy to the lockdown which will be announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday. 

The app is a key part of the strategy. Sir Patrick said: 'If we do test, track and trace well and we keep the social distancing measures at the right level we should be able to avoid a second wave, so I'm at the more optimistic side.' 

However, the Government conceded that a series of problems had been found by the app's developers which needed to be fixed.