Zoe/Kings Covid tracker

[DogAgilityObsessed]

I know many here report on the Zoe app including Dorset Lady. I too have done so but started in the early days before PMR. DL commented on another post recently about doing an antibody test for them and this got me thinking. Do the people behind the app know you are on pred? I assume they must but I don’t seem to have an easy way of telling them I am now.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Do you complete the monthly report that comes from COVIDENCE UK study? ...they seem to work hand in hand with ZOE. There is a facility on there (I think) about medication.Or can you update your info on the App, failing that have a look at website at FAQs or email them at -

[e-mail]

[Blossom20]

I know. Every time I try to report symptoms I write in the box at the end of the tick box bit. I told them about pmr but I don't think they read it...Twice they have told me to get a Covid test just because I told them I had pmr pains after a jab.I don't think it's very efficient.

[DogAgilityObsessed in reply to Blossom20]

Exactly my experience. Before diagnosis I was forever reporting pain and being sent for tests. Then after I started on pred i tried to tell them but they still seem to want me tested every time a pain or ache is reported.

[Blossom20]

As they are so keen to send people for tests I wonder if there is an ulterior motive - i.e is someone making money out of it, or are they trying to tick a box to say x number of tests have been done....?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blossom20]

I think they are just aiming to get as much information as possible.

[Highlandtiger in reply to Blossom20]

I doubt it. I think they are simply trying to find out information about asymptomatic cases and about possible different symptoms given that there is now no shortage of tests available. It was this study which discovered certain new symptoms such as loss of sense of smell etc early on in the pandemic which were then added to government advice so the study has already proved very useful. No-one is obliged to take part and no-one is obliged to take the tests as they make clear.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Blossom20]

FYI - About the ZOE COVID Symptom Study

The ZOE COVID Symptom Study app is a not-for-profit initiative that was launched at the end of March 2020 to support vital COVID-19 research. The app was launched by health science company ZOE with scientific analysis provided by King’s College London. With over 4 million contributors globally, the Study is the world’s largest ongoing study of COVID-19 and is led by ZOE Co-Founder, Tim Spector.

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By using this app you're helping and contributing to advance vital research on COVID-19. By combining your reports with software algorithms, we are able to predict who has the virus and so track COVID infections across the UK and now other countries (see COVID Data). Your daily reporting is also being used to generate new scientific understanding of the very different symptoms the virus causes in different people. We are also studying the way that risks vary between individuals because of their own personal characteristics. Visit the News and Research section to read about the research, listen to webinars, and read the academic papers that are being produced entirely because of your contributions.

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This research is led by Professor Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London and director of a scientific study of 15,000 identical and non-identical twins, which has been running for nearly three decades.

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We take data security very seriously and will handle your data with huge respect. Your data is protected by the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It will only be used for health research and will not be used for commercial purposes. You can read more about how your data will be used, your rights and the steps we take to ensure it's protected in our Privacy Policy or in the Frequently Asked Questions.

[piglette]

You can always say you don’t feel normal on the last question. There is a bit where you can write your own comments. Just ignore the rest.

[TURQ8]

I have done it daily on a phone ap since March 2020. I just say I'm feeling normal as I think they are looking for Covid symptoms or long covid symptoms. My friend reported a bad headache and was sent 30 miles to take a test as we are in the country - then she never got a result. She has also had tests at home but no result - So since then we are just 'normal'!!!we have never had covid symptoms I hasten to add. We are both in our 80s and don't want to travel 30 miles for a test.

[Highlandtiger in reply to TURQ8]

If they ask you to take a test you can get them sent to you to do at home. I picked up an email from Zoe asking me to do a PCR test just before 5pm one day (sent earlier but I was at work), requested the test online, had it delivered with the post the next day, did it and posted it back (there are Covid test priority post boxes which uplift later than usual), and had my test result emailed to me at 9am next day. It was negative as I suspected it would be but sometimes negative results are as useful for the scientists as positive ones. They are searching for symptoms that people don’t necessarily think are Covid symptoms. That’s how they found the loss of sense of smell one.

[TURQ8]

As I said above - twice result not received

[DogAgilityObsessed in reply to TURQ8]

How frustrating for you especially after travelling so far. However I don’t think you can blame the ZOE research for that. I have heard of a (very small) number of people who didn’t get results. As they were having to isolate while waiting it was especially hard.

[Blossom20 in reply to TURQ8]

When I did my test I didn't realise I had to go online and register my test number. As soon as I did this I got the result sent!

[TURQ8 in reply to Blossom20]

I have never had covid symptoms so not needed

[Pixix]

I just say I’m perfectly well as I thought it was just Covid symptoms they are trying to catch! I don’t report my other medical issues at all. I assumed it’s Covid only! I report hit my husband too and if I reported his asthmatic coughing they could assume it was Covid linked! We do the PCR tests twice a week but are virtually still shielding anyway so maybe don’t need to!