Health bosses feel Lincolnshire could be used as another pilot area for the test, track and trace app due to be trialled on the Isle of Wight.
The county’s rurality, broadband issues, and number of residents without access to technology would present their own challenges that would need to be ironed out, said Tony McGinty assistant director of public health at Lincolnshire County Council.
The trial was announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock during Monday’s national government press conference.
“Lincolnshire’s got some particular characteristics to test with,” said Mr McGinty.
“It’s not going to be a one-size fits all for anywhere probably and certainly not for Lincolnshire with our demography, geography, sparsity and all those issues.”
He said there were concerns some people would not be able to use it effectively and alternative methods would have to be sought.
“Even in my relatively small social circle, I was thinking during the announcement about how many people I know that don’t have smart phones or tablets.
“If you spin that out into the wider population there’s quite a few people who don’t have that kind of technology.
“If it’s also necessary to have a good broadband connection for the app to work that is going to be a problem in some places especially if part of the app’s work is real-time feed back to teams that are doing tracking and tracing.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced a trial would take place on the Isle of Wight.
However, Mr McGinty said he was excited about the prospects of the app if it was successful, especially for how it could apply to tracking and tracing carried out away from Covid-19.
Local plans are being drawn up, and Mr MrGinty said councils and other organisations were waiting “with bated breath” for national clarity.
A previous hunt for 150 volunteers to help with tracking and tracing has also been successful, he said, with people contacting him directly on a daily basis offering to help.
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Leader of Lincolnshire County Council Martin Hill said his party retaining control of the authority was “a resounding success” for the Conservatives.
The Tory group passed the 36 seat mark, giving them overall control of the council following the local elections on May 6.
Councillor Hill said: “This means we have a manifesto which we will then deliver for the public of Lincolnshire and we have a stable situation of the county council and can continue the running of it as a Conservative council.
“Thank you for giving the Conservatives once again a resounding thumbs up, we will work hard for you and take the lessons learned so far.”
He promised to move forward on tackling potholes and fly-tipping as well as campaigning for more funding for the authority.
At the time of publication, Labour had two seats, Independents had five seats, Liberal Democrats had three seats and South Holland Independents have one seat.
A Year 9 student at Cleethorpes Academy has tested positive for coronavirus, resulting in 28 pupils now self-isolating as a precaution.
Principal Mrs Janice Hornby sent a letter to parents/carers on Thursday, May 6 and said the school is continuing to monitor the situation and is working closely with Public Health England.
The students who are self-isolating will continue remote learning at home for 10 days.
The school remains open to other students who should continue to attend if they remain well.
Janice Hornby, Cleethorpes Academy Principal, said: “We want to reassure parents that we have followed advice from Public Health England and the DfE in responding to this matter immediately.
“My senior and pastoral leaders work quickly to identify all close contacts and telephone every family to explain the requirement to self-isolate. Students are isolated in school until we contact the family.
“All students who are required to isolate will return to remote learning until we can welcome them back into school.
“We have continued to follow national public health guidance around preventing the spread of coronavirus in school. Social distancing, frequent hand washing, wearing of face coverings and regular cleaning is being rigorously practised right across the Academy, and we have robust risk assessment processes in place.
“I urge all staff and students to remain vigilant at all times and to continue to follow the guidelines to ensure that we can keep each other as safe as possible. We wish our student a very speedy recovery.”
Cleethorpes Academy is currently the only school within the Tollbar Multi Academy Trust with a case of coronavirus.
The Conservative group on Lincolnshire County Council have retained overall control after gaining 36 seats in total already.
At the time of publication, Labour had two seats, Independents had five seats, Liberal Democrats had three seats and South Holland Independents have one seat.
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