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.  

TECH, TRACK AND TRACE NHS app launched that will ‘put easing coronavirus lockdown in hands of the public’

The app — called NHS Covid-19 — uses Bluetooth to log when another user’s smartphone has been nearby.

If a person develops symptoms, they tell the app and it helps immediately organise a test.

An anonymous alert is automatically sent to those the person has been near, urging users to self-isolate if necessary.

Brits on the Isle of Wight will be the first to get the new app to track the virus.

Antibody that prevents the COVID-19 virus from infecting living cells is identified by scientists - in a major step towards developing an effective treatment

•  Antibody found to block infection by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in cells
• The '47D11' antibody targets the 'spike protein' of the destructive coronavirus 
•  It could alter the 'course of infection' or protect an uninfected person exposed.
• DailyMail

Urgent probe into obesity link to Covid-19 deaths: Matt Hancock orders health officials to find why certain groups including the overweight, men and ethnic minorities are more likely to die

• Matt Hancock has ordered health officials to trawl through victim records
• He said it was too early to suggest weight was a factor but data suggests link
• Researchers warned that obesity increased the risk of dying by 37 per cent
• DailyMail

People with low levels of Vitamin D may be more likely to catch coronavirus and die from COVID-19 infection, study suggests

• Study compared average vitamin D levels in a country with coronavirus mortality
• Found a link showing low vitamin D levels are associated with a higher death rate
• Researchers 'believe they can advise vitamin D supplementation' to protect against the coronavirus 
• The research compared average levels of vitamin D across 20 European countries with COVID-19 infection rate and mortality. It revealed a convincing correlation where countries with low vitamin D levels were also the countries with highest mortality and COVID-19 infection rates.
• DailyMail

Oxford scientists develop accurate antibody kits that work in 20 minutes and could be producing one million a week by June

• Scientist breakthrough means Britons could take test to see if they have immunity from coronavirus by June
• The Government has ordered the production of 50million the new 'game-changing' COVID-19 devices  
• The tests, expected to cost £10, have been devised by scientists at Oxford and require blood from pin prick
• Britons could reliably test if they have developed immunity and then be allowed to return to work as normal
•  Everyone entering the UK will be forced to quarantine for a fortnight under plans being drawn up by the Government
•  Boris Johnson will go back to work in Downing Street tomorrow, having told aides that he is 'raring to go'
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Unable to sleep? The best ways you can trick yourself into dozing off

Ten million prescriptions for sleeping pills are written every year in England alone and a survey by Crampex has found that 86% of us suffer from sleep disturbance. And getting too little sleep can be bad for your health, leading to problems such as heart disease. But you can trick yourself to sleep by trying these expert natural tips.
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