UK to begin trials of new tracing app

The British government has announced the launch of its novel coronavirus "test, track and trace" strategy, as the country looks ahead to the possibility of lockdown rules easing within weeks.

At Monday's news briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that a new smartphone contact-tracing app will begin trials this week on the nation's Isle of Wight before being rolled out nationwide.

Hancock said: "Where the Isle of Wight goes, Britain will follow." He added that the app will allow the government to take a "more targeted" approach to the lockdown while containing the virus.

Using Bluetooth technology, the app works by monitoring the virus closely to see where it is spreading. If small localized outbreaks of COVID-19 are discovered, the clusters can be isolated.

The Times reported on Monday that there is disagreement in government about how much data the app should gather, with concerns expressed about how intrusive the technology might be.

The paper said: "The more intrusive it is the less people are likely to download it and unless it has significant take up it is more of a gimmick than a genuinely useful tool."

The current recorded case count for COVID-19 in the United Kingdom has hit 186,599 with 28,734 deaths. The Department of Health and Social Care announced on Monday that 229 fatalities had been reported in the previous 24 hours.

On Monday, an online pledging conference of world leaders and philanthropists, including leaders of the UK, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Canada, aimed to raise funds for the global financing of research, development and distribution of a vaccine for the virus.

The virtual summit supports the World Health Organization's call for joint action on a "global cooperation platform to accelerate and scale-up research, development, access and equitable distribution of the vaccine and other life-saving therapeutics and diagnostics treatments".

European Union leaders pledged to raise 7.5 billion euros ($8.3 billion) for the program.

An EU statement said: "If we can develop a vaccine that is produced by the world, for the whole world, this will be a unique global public good of the 21st century. Together with our partners, we commit to making it available, accessible and affordable to all."

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described the initiative as "the most urgent shared endeavor of our lifetimes", and said the UK will pledge 388 million pounds ($488 million) for vaccine research, testing and treatment.

More European countries are preparing to ease social restrictions after record lows in the numbers of new novel coronavirus cases.

Worst-hit nations France, Italy and Spain have registered their lowest daily death tolls for weeks: France reported 135 deaths; Spain's 164 was the lowest figure since mid-March; and Italy's 174 was the lowest in two months.

In Italy, which had some of the world's most severe restrictions, the first steps toward normal life began on Monday when parks and public gardens reopened.

In lockdown since March 10 and with 28,884 deaths, Italy is still the worst-hit in Europe, although the UK is now close to that number.

In Spain, which has lost 25,264 people to the virus, social distancing rules remain in place but many people have been able to venture outside for the first time since lockdown began there on March 14.

France, with 24,864 deaths, will gradually lift lockdown measures from May 11 and is preparing to bring in a compulsory two-week quarantine for travelers from outside Europe, as part of a bill that extends the country's state of emergency until July 24.

The UK government is expected to outline full details of how it will exit lockdown on Sunday — three days after the government must review the current restrictions on May 7.

In other developments, Britain's small businesses will now be able to apply for quick and easy-to-access loans of up to 50,000 pounds with a new program backed by the Treasury, launched on Monday.

Last week, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced the plan, dubbed "bounce back" loans, which will offer smaller amounts than the existing Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

Proposed as simpler to obtain than other loans, they are 100 percent backed by the government, giving banks greater incentive to approve.