An application, which will help to slow the spread of Covid-19 in Ireland, has been launched.
The Covid-19 tracker app for Ireland is available to download on the App Store or Play Store.
It has three specific functions:
- Digital contact tracing of close contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19;
- Allows users to record if they have symptoms;
- Provide daily information about COVID-19 from a trusted source.
The app was launched by Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, joined Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, Paul Reid, Chief Executive Officer, HSE and Dr. Sarah Doyle, specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE HPSC earlier this month.
Research conducted by Science Foundation Ireland shows that the majority of people in Ireland are in favour of an app with 82% of respondents willing to install it.
‘Integral’ to contact tracing
Commenting on the role of the app, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, said: “Together, we have made a huge collective effort in recent months to limit the spread of COVID-19.”
“As we ease restrictions, many important aspects of Irish life are returning and we are able to access more services and to meet more people.”
He described the app’s role in testing and contact tracing vital to the continued momentum of the reopening of Irish society and business as “vital”.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn said: “Until we have a vaccine, or an effective treatment, testing and contact tracing are vital to our ongoing collective efforts to minimise the spread of COVID-19.”
“The app is integral to contact tracing, working in tandem with the key public health measures of social distancing, hand washing, covering our coughs and wearing face coverings, helping us to stay safe and to protect each other.”
Increase capacity to supress virus
Paul Reid, Chief Executive Officer, HSE said: “The app will enhance the existing contact tracing operations.”
“For those using the app, it can mean a reduction in the time it takes to trace close contacts from days to hours and, importantly, it can also help to identify close contacts who are not known to each other.”
“Every additional contact that the app can trace will improve our existing contact tracing operations.”
“By downloading the app, you are helping us to reach more people in a shorter time period and to provide the right advice and access to testing. This will increase our capacity to suppress the virus.”
‘Work together’
Dr. Sarah Doyle, specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE HPSC said: “As society reopens, the COVID Tracker App represents a simple way that we can all work together to continue to suppress COVID-19.”
“The app will support our capacity to trace close contacts quickly, which is essential in containing the spread of this virus.”
