Sadiq Khan blasts 'mind-boggling' decision not to share London test-and-trace app trial data

The Government was today criticised for a “mind-boggling” decision not to disclose data from the London trial of the coronavirus test-and-trace app.

The new version of the long-awaited app was launched in Newham on August 13, in a bid to prepare it for nationwide roll-out and to prevent the deprived and ethnically diverse borough again being among the worst hit for infections and deaths in the event of a second wave.

But the council has been denied access to figures showing the take-up of the app — and how many users, if any, have been asked to self-isolate in the event of being in close contact with someone who subsequently tests positive for Covid.

This means borough health chiefs have no idea whether it is helping to reduce the spread of coronavirus, amid rising rates across the capital — in particular among the 20 to 29 age group.

There have been 78 new cases diagnosed in the Olympic borough in the past seven days, according to Public Health England.

Mayor Sadiq Khan, on a visit to the borough’s only walk-in testing centre in East Ham, said he was “frustrated” to be told the data could not be shared as it was “raw”. He said: “That is not a good enough reason, as far as I’m concerned. It’s crucial.”

Mr Khan urged residents to download the app and said: “I’m keen to make sure that in doing this pilot phase we learn all the lessons. Otherwise, what is the point of having a pilot?

“I find it mind-boggling that we haven’t got figures for the number of people who are downloading the app and the usage. My message to the Government is: don’t hoard information.”

Trials of the first version of the app on the Isle of Wight were blighted by few users receiving alerts and its inability to work on some iPhones.

The second version, also being trialled on the Isle of Wight and among NHS volunteer emergency responders, involves a partnership with Apple and Google.

It is not known when national roll-out will happen.

In Newham, which has a population of 360,000, borough director of public health Jason Strelitz said the “slight rise” in cases may have been due to the app.

“We have got some evidence to show that is because [this part of] Test and Trace is working,” he said. “We are now picking up people through Test and Trace who were not picked up before. That is a good thing, and shows the system is doing what it’s supposed to be doing. It doesn’t necessarily mean there is more Covid.”

About 150 people a day have been coming to East Ham to get tested. The borough wants more walk-in centres — there are only six in London.

Newham mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said she decided to allow the borough to be used as a testbed to have “all tools at her disposal” as part of a broad approach to tackling Covid, in the absence of a vaccine.

She said: “I’m not expecting the app to be the silver bullet. Ultimately, I don’t want Newham to be in the top three local authorities in the country where we have the highest Covid mortality rates because of poverty, inequality, deprivation.

“For me, the absolute focus has been to do everything and anything in order to save lives here in Newham and ensure we mitigate against the spread and transmission of the virus.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “The trials of the new Test and Trace app are ongoing and we are incredibly grateful to all residents and businesses in Newham for their continued support. We will continue to gather data and feedback which will support the national roll-out.”

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