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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (1271)

Emer Higgins

Question:

1271. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if he will integrate additional software to the Covid-19 tracker app that shows daily incidence figures of those who have recovered from Covid-19, which would create some positivity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32869/20]

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Written answers

The COVID Tracker App has been subject to continuous improvement since it has been introduced. It is already interoperable with the Northern Ireland App and since the 19th October, it is interoperable with Germany and Italy. Ireland has been one of the first countries to participate in the EU cross-border interoperability service and further cross border interoperability will be available as other EU countries join the service. Use of contact tracing apps and cross-border interoperability allow the acceleration of contact tracing procedures by alerting close contacts earlier. Interoperability enables this on an all-island basis and across participating member states, making the app’s role in contact tracing vital to the continued fight against COVID-19 and supporting the reopening of society and business.

One of the latest COVID Tracker App improvements is the inclusion of a ‘PAUSE’ function so that healthcare workers can temporarily switch off proximity detection whilst on shift and wearing PPE. It is intended that this functionality will avoid the risk of false alerts. Furthermore, an additional improvement is the provision of infection rate data at Local Electoral District Area level.

The Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for the COVID Tracker App. I wish to thank the Deputy for her suggestion which has been passed to the Health Service Executive for consideration.

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