Around half a million people have downloaded the new Covid Tracker App, since its launch last night.
The application, set up by the HSE and the Department of Health and developed in Tramore by Nearform, aims to have 60 per cent of the target population registered to reduce the time it takes to trace close contacts of confirmed cases.
The technology was first announced in late March and has cost €850,000 to develop.
We’re delighted to have helped @HSELive and @roinnslainte build the #CovidTracker Ireland app, and to play a part in Ireland’s effort to manage #Covid19. https://t.co/suL2VylApW
— NearForm (@NearForm) July 7, 2020
It helps track symptoms and identify people who have been in contact with those who test positive for the virus by sending notifications to their phones.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronan Glynn, says the app is as important as the other steps Irish people have taken in recent months:
"Along with continuing to wash your hands, practising social distancing, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, this app provides yet another opportunity for everyone in Ireland to take part in our collective response and continuing effort.
"The more people that download and use this app, the more effective it will be."
There are two ways to download the #CovidTracker app. 1: Go to https://t.co/CJ5esjww0t on your phone and follow the steps. 2: Go to Google Play store or Apple App store on your phone and search ‘COVID Tracker Ireland’ and click ‘Install’ or ‘Get’. Protect each other. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/9HDaZ8otX4
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) July 7, 2020
Meanwhile, the launch of the Covid Tracker App is being described as a "good news day" for the country.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly it's essential in managing further outbreaks here:
"Covid 19 is still with us and the international situation continues to be very volatile.
"It is entirely possible that we will see many more outbreaks here in Ireland.
"We must continue to observe public health guidance when we are out and about.
"Today, is a good news day for Covid-19."
Delighted to launch the #CovidTracker this morning. Thanks to everyone who's downloading it, it'll make a real difference.
Huge thanks to the many people who've worked tirelessly to make this app a reality, and to come up with such a strong design 👏👏👏#holdfirm pic.twitter.com/waRqd6IT2j— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) July 7, 2020
Some data protection experts are raising privacy concerns with the launch of the app.
HSE CEO Paul Reid says that's why information won't be stored on a government server:
"Their concerns were primarily focused around centralisation of the data, whether it's on the health servers or the government servers
"We took what's called a decentralised model which addresses many of the concerns that people will have.
"The data is captured and stored on a person's phone and distributed through the application, not on any government central servers."
Today is another key day in our battle with #COVID19 as we launch the Covid Tracker. It is free, simple, quick and very informative. Please download and ask your network to do likewise. We have done much together, lets keep it going. @HSELive pic.twitter.com/tP9dKgW33z
— Paul Reid (@paulreiddublin) July 7, 2020
