Covid Tracker App
The launch of the Covid Tracker App is being described as a "good news day" for the country.
Over 300,000 people have already downloaded the application, which helps to identify close contacts of people who test positive for the virus.
Together @roinnslainte and @hselive have launched the COVID Tracker App for Ireland today. The app is now available to download at: https://t.co/oZvTIjlvrb. We’ll protect your privacy, and you’ll help us protect everyone. Stay safe. Protect each other. #COVID19 #Staysafe. pic.twitter.com/l9qqbyfXlw
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) July 7, 2020
It's cost €850,000 and was first promised in March, but finally the Covid- tracker app has been launched.
The app will enhance existing contact tracing measures, by enabling users to identify close contacts and to alert those who are using the app of the need for COVID-19 testing as quickly as possible.
Launch of COVID Tracker App https://t.co/9RVg85xf3g
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) July 7, 2020
A close contact is someone who was within two metres of a confirmed case for 15 minutes or more.
While concerns are being raised about privacy, designers say it has been developed with privacy by design at its core, using the exchange of anonymous codes.
They also say information is not stored on a government server.
The COVID Tracker App is now available to download from the App Store and Google Play and 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.
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."
"The introduction of the COVID Tracker App will allow us to speed up reporting and tracing from the first onset of the symptoms of COVID-19, making app’s role in testing and contact tracing vital to the continued momentum of the reopening of Irish society and business.”
