Concern that COVID app not island wide
NEW APP SHOULD BE ALL IRELAND APPROACH
CALLS for the new Covid tracking app to be made an all island approach were sounded this week.
Louth Councillor Edel Corrigan said it was ‘disappointing to see this is not on an all-island basis.’
Cllr Corrigan explained: ‘I downloaded the App on the first morning and already there had been 88,000 check ins by 10.30am. I noticed the statistical information provided appeared to only cover 26 of our 32 counties.’
‘ The App says it is ‘ being made available by the Irish Health Service Executive in conjunction with the Irish Department of Health for people across the island of Ireland’. However, Cllr Corrigan said: ‘you can only register as living in your County if you live in one of the nominated 26 counties and you appear to be excluded if you live in any of the remaining six counties of Ireland.’
‘My understanding is that they use Bluetooth technology which could in fact mean that the whole 32 counties could well be covered but what is the point if no-one in the six counties registers, and they are certainly not being encouraged to do so?’
‘ This does not bode well’ continued Cllr Corrigan ‘for anyone who lives in a border county or who travels across the border as many people do on a daily basis in this area. I am quite concerned at the obvious flaw in the App. COVID 19 must be tackled with an all-island approach. A virus does not recognise borders, it won’t suddenly stop at Dundalk and I feel the people of Louth are once again being punished and let down simply because of geography.’
Cllr Corrigan called on the HSE and Department of Health to ‘enhance or modify the App to ensure that it does what is being promised.’
‘If we are serious about tackling this virus, then we need to get serious about the tools we use and ensure they are fit for purpose. My fear is that if people, especially in border counties, have this App it may lull them into a false sense of security as the data will be incomplete at best.’
Dundalk Senator John McGahon has urged people in County Louth to download the COVID tracking App to help confront the challenge of the coronavirus.
Speaking on the launch of the tracking app, Senator McGahon said ‘ To help the country through this crisis the Covid response app has three functions, contact tracing, symptom tracking and news and information. In terms of Contact Tracing, the app records if users are in close contact with another app user. If an App user tests positive for Covid-19 the app will alert other app users that have been closer than two metres for more than 15 minutes.
In terms of Symptom Tracking, there is a Daily Health check in were users can help slow the spread of COVID-19 by telling the HSE how they are feeling every day. If users do have symptoms, then the app will give them advice on what to do.’
He added: ‘Finally, the App will also act as a definitive source of news and information, it will provide users with the latest facts and figures about Covid-19 in Ireland and signpost them to information that will help them care for themselves if they are sick.’
Senator McGahon said: ‘Within just a few hours of launching, already 100,000 people had downloaded the app, it only takes two minutes and will greatly help the country stay as safe as possible as we face in a potential second wave of the virus.’