THE Isle of Wight coronavirus test and trace app has been downloaded 73,000 times, the government has revealed.

However it has not commented on how many of the downloads are exclusively on the Isle of Wight.

In addition, some are multiple downloads to the same person.

MP Bob Seely welcomed the take-up, saying it showed 'strong engagement' on the Island.

In a joint letter to Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, and Health Minister, Nadine Dorries, Mr Seely and Isle of Wight Council Leader Dave Stewart said they were compiling, with local partners, a detailed portfolio of learning from their experience of engaging the local community in using the app as well as the wider test and trace programme, to inform the forthcoming national rollout of the app, all with the support of Central Government.

The letter – written a week after the app was rolled out on the Island - said uptake had been strong on the Island with the overwhelming majority of downloads from the Island.

Mr Seely said: "The latest download figures show the very strong engagement and response from the Island.

"Not all the 73k or so downloads will be Islanders, and some Islanders have downloaded more than once, but the consensus is that the Island has downloaded the app in significant numbers, and our use will drive understanding of it. 

"It’s important to remember that the Trace & Test programme is not only about the app, but about the entire programme to keep us safe. By getting this Trace and Test programme early, we have kept Islanders safer, earlier. 

"In addition, the Island is helping the NHS with both technical but also real-world solutions to make sure the app and the Trace and Test scheme can help the rest of the UK.

“We need to keep downloading the app, making sure it is on, keep sending feedback on the feedback form and by doing that, help the rest of the UK to support the NHS - and care homes - and to stay healthy."

It was confirmed this week that around 25 people per day are being tested at the Medina College testing centre, having made their symptoms known through the app.

And Dr Geraint Lewis, NHSX chief data officer, revealed the reasons some people could not make use of the app.