A record number of alerts were sent to people using the NHS Covid-19 app last week telling them to self-isolate.

Some 689,313 people in England and Wales in the week to July 21 were told they had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive for coronavirus, according to the latest NHS statistics.

The figures come as the Government has taken steps in recent days to combat the so-called ‘pingdemic’, which has put the economy under strain and forced critical workers to stay at home even if they don’t have the virus.

A list of key workers has been published, allowing them to skip self-isolation instructions if they have received both their vaccinations ‘to avoid disruption to crucial services’.

Those working in medicine, food production and supply, energy, water, prisons, defence are some of the sectors which are exempt from quarantine.

And reports say double-jabbed people will not be legally obliged to take a Covid-19 test to avoid self isolation from next month.

It had been expected that when the rules change again on August 16, fully vaccinated people would need to take a test to leave isolation if they come into contact with a positive case or get pinged by the app.

But now it appears that tests will only be encouraged rather than mandatory for, unless those people develop symptoms.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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