Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
525. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to his response to the contribution in Dáil Éireann of 11 June 2020 by this Deputy, when the number of days since a positive Covid-19 will be released by county and if possible, by electoral division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13451/20]
View answerI have no plans to start publishing data in the manner requested by the Deputy at this time. As the numbers of confirmed cases is low, and while it remains so, it is possible that publishing data as cases arise in the manner described could potentially lead to identification of individual patients and to raise concerns relating to patient confidentiality.
A robust and real-time process of testing, isolation and contact tracing is central to our public health strategy for containing and slowing the spread of COVID-19, as advocated by the WHO and ECDC. In the context of cases arising now, the Deputy will be aware that the HSE is able to respond rapidly and trace known contacts of newly confirmed cases to ensure appropriate action is taken as a matter of urgency.
Aggregated data are published on an ongoing basis by my Department, available on the Department’s website, and by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and on the website of the HPSC, www.hpsc.ie. Furthermore, comprehensive national statistics, information and data about COVID-19 in Ireland is published on a daily basis on the Covid-19 Data Hub and Dashboards which can be accessed at http://www.gov.ie/covid19dashboard/ .
