New online 'status checker' will help discover exactly how many people are infected with Covid-19 in Milton Keynes

The checker will help the NHS build up data about how many people have suffered at home with coronavirus.

It will also help the NHS and government coordinate future actions.

People stay anonymous and are asked to answer a short series of questions about whether they or anyone they live with has experienced symptoms.

The checker invites people to "tell the NHS about your current experience of coronavirus.2

It asks if they have had symptoms, if they are high risk or whether they are still travelling to work.

There is then a list of questions about how the person feels, including whether they feel tired or have lost their sense of taste or smell.

People are also asked for their date of birth and postcode to enable the NHS to discover how the virus is affecting different age groups and different areas of the country.

Finally, the checker asks how many people are living in the household.

An NHS spokesman said: "This survey will help the NHS understand more about how and where coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting people currently. By answering some quick questions, you can help the NHS plan its response to coronavirus."

MK Council has published a link to the new survey on its Facebook page and is encouraging residents to fill it in.

It can also be found online here www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-status-checker