No alternative to tech by industry-dominant companies – Donnelly
IRELAND may have to rely on Apple and Google for future health tech services, according to Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and HSE boss Paul Reid.
Speaking at the HSE’s new contact tracing app launch, Mr Donnelly said countries are now dependent on the smartphone duopoly for services in a similar way to Ireland needing the ESB.
And Mr Reid confirmed that future health tech remedies based on the Apple-Google app design are under consideration.
“We are looking at a future model for the Irish state to have test and tracing and I see this technology being part of it,” he said.
Asked about concerns that Ireland might become reliant on Apple and Google for such future health services, Mr Donnelly said the two tech giants had become unavoidable utilities.
“It’s a facet of modern life,” he said. “They are the technology platforms. We’re largely dependent on the ESB to keep the country running, but that’s okay. But it’s important to note that the control of the information within the app sits absolutely with the individual.”
Apple and Google, which came together to create the new contact tracing app, have not charged Ireland or other European countries for the service.
But HSE officials said yesterday it became clear when designing the app that there was no alternative to the companies’ provided technology as only the two tech giants can alter the phone operating systems.
Apple and Google smartphone
It has been widely regarded by data protection and technical experts as respecting user privacy and causing relatively little disruption to battery life and other phone functions.
Called the Covid Tracker, the app will be able to alert people who were close contacts of a person who tests positive for the virus within hours as opposed to the days it can currently take in some cases, HSE boss Paul Reid said.
He added: “Importantly it can help to identify close contacts who are not known to each other.”
Contact tracing is seen as a key part of the health service’s ability to respond to outbreaks following the easing of restrictions.
He said 43,000 people were tested last week.
The average time from the point at which a person gets a referral for a test to the stage where their contacts have been traced is now running at less than two days.
The target was to complete this process within three days in 90pc of cases.
“The app fits in as part of that process. It is not a silver bullet but a significant element in contact and tracing,”said Mr Reid.
Acting chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn said people are being asked to download the app and “until we have a vaccine, or an effective treatment, testing and contact tracing are vital to [...] efforts to minimise Covid-19’s spread.
“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,” he said
One of the hurdles faced may be persuading people to go for a test if they are found to be a close contact. Between midMay to the end of June, 35pc of those identified as a close contact of a confirmed case did not take up the offer of a test.
Dr Glynn said every case has the potential to turn into a cluster and spread.
“If you are identified as a close contact, please take up the offer of a test without delay,” he added.
This app is not a silver bullet but an important element in contact and tracing