Coronavirus: Bracknell and Wokingham are hotspots

Researchers have designed an online app, called Covid Symptom Tracker, to study the symptoms of the virus and track how it spreads.

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They hope it can be used to better understand symptoms of Covid-19, understand how fast the virus is spreading in certain areas, identify high risk areas in the country and identify who is most at risk by better understanding symptoms linked to health conditions.

It relies on people contributing and adding their coronavirus symptoms.

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So far, it has been used by more than two million people across the UK.

In Bracknell, 2,265 people have uploaded data, including any symptoms they have experienced.

An estimated 2.7 per cent were symptomatic with Covid-19.

In Wokingham, 3,632 responded and 2.3 per cent had coronavirus symptoms.

More than 3,000 responded in Ascot, with 2.3 per cent showing symptoms.

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There are caveats that must be considered when assessing the data. The app relies completely on self-reporting and people must be accurate and consistent in their reporting.

The research behind the app is led by Dr Tim Spector, a professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London.

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The not-for-profit app has been designed by doctors and scientists at King's College, Guys and St Thomas’ Hospitals working in partnership with ZOE Global Ltd – a health science company.

Dr Spector said: “These are worrying times for everyone. The more of the public that also use the app, the better the real-time data we will have to combat the outbreak in this country.”