New contact-tracing app no ‘silver bullet’

THE proposed Covid-19 contact tracing app is not a ‘silver bullet’, the HSE chief executive has said.

The health service is currently working to release an app which, through the use of Bluetooth, will send a push notification to a person’s phone if they have been in close contact with a confirmed case.

However, HSE chief executive Paul Reid yesterday said that while the opt-in app will be an aid in the contact tracing process, it is not a single solution.

‘We just see this, to be frank, as part of an overall testing and tracing process,’ he said.

‘This is not a silver bullet in terms of contact tracing. It’s an application, it’s a partial solution to a much bigger testing and tracing process.’

The app is expected to be available by the end of this month, but will be released on a trial basis before being rolled out nationwide.

Mr Reid said yesterday that they are working on a submission to be sent to the Data Protection Commissioner, and on other technical issues.

However, a launch date will be confirmed when these issues are sorted.

‘What we’ve definitely learned about this app, and all countries have learned about it is, tread carefully until you have the technical solution right, and secondly, to make sure you have addressed the data protection issues. They’re two big learnings.’

Contact tracing apps – which use wireless Bluetooth technology to record people’s close contacts – are being developed by governments around the world as part of their response to the Covid-19 crisis.

A study released yesterday found that eight out of ten people (84%) would consider installing a contact tracing app if it contributed to an easing of lockdown restrictions.

Some 72% of respondents reported a good understanding of the measures announced by the

Government in regards to the phased re-opening of the country. However, a little over half were fully clear on the guidance in relation to returning to work and the reopening of businesses.

The findings are from the Corona

Citizens’ Science Study, a population-wide survey conducted by research teams at NUI Galway, Dublin City University and the Insight SFI Centre for Data Analytics (NUI Galway) looking at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on daily life in Ireland.

Over 60% of respondents reported that they were feeling more anxious since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with the vast majority worried about catching the virus or a family member catching the virus (78%), while nearly 40% were worried about other health problems and around 30% of respondents about the relaxation of restrictions and their finances.

HSE working on technical issues

screaming through the night, it’s heartbreaking,’ says creche worker Serena. ‘He started getting pain towards the end of last year but from January it’s been constant.’ Describing Nathan’s condition, she said: ‘His ears are full of fluid and he’s got negative air pressure in one. So he can’t clear his ears... It’s like he’s in a swimming pool, his ears are full all the time.’ Serena and her partner David haven’t had a decent night’s sleep for ages. ‘Were up on the hour every hour through the night, trying to comfort him. He bangs his Distress: Serena and David with two-year-old Nathan who is in constant pain head off the floor and the walls to try and ease the pain.’ When asked about Nathan’s situation, the HSE said it ‘cannot comment on individual cases’. The HSE website states that ‘All non-essential inpatient and day case activity is postponed until further notice’ for Temple Street Children’s Hospital.