Thread by @SamCoatesSky

I understand there is concern in Whitehall over what to do about the sheer number of people expected to be told to isolate in the coming days.

This could be a big problem over next 5 weeks after Sajid Javid announced 10 day quarantine for double jabbed wont end until Aug 16

The Department for Health privately confirmed to others in Whitehall it is looking at the scheme

Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed one plan this morning: to make the Covid app bluetooth function less sensitive. There were 356,036 app alerts in England in week to June 30 - up 62%

But some in Whitehall want Sajid Javid to go further

Look at the stats

In the week to June 30, 135,685 people tested positive

and

281,500 people who had come into contact with Covid patients were identified via NHS Test and Trace and told to isolate

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…

Now imagine 100,000 cases a day as Javid predicted- that's 700,000 a week infected and 1.4 million a week then doing isolation. Curbing app wont help this.

One source said gvt modelling done under Hancock suggested this scale cd potentially compromise transport and healthcare

So what could they do?

Some believe test-to-release will be the answer.

Reports looked good.

Michael Gove benefited after being pinged post Porto holiday

And a pilot scheme in Liverpool found 3200 key worker staff days protected from quarantine

news.sky.com/story/covid-19…

BUT senior government sources tonight downplay that option.

They say test-and-release isn't the focus, and the government is primarily looking at changing the app.

Lets see - given those expected stats - if that holds.