{"id":16006,"date":"2020-07-30T12:51:27","date_gmt":"2020-07-30T16:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=16006"},"modified":"2020-08-02T11:53:07","modified_gmt":"2020-08-02T15:53:07","slug":"contact-tracing-app-released-for-download-in-the-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=16006","title":{"rendered":"Contact Tracing App Released For Download In The North"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The operating system is designed by Google and Apple and its use will require Bluetooth to remain on (NI Department of Health)<\/figcaption><\/figure>The app for tracking and tracing coronavirus in Northern Ireland has been released for download.<\/p>\n

It is called Stop Covid NI and is aimed at interrupting the spread of coronavirus by finding those most at risk of catching it.<\/p>\n

Should someone receive a positive test for the disease, they will have a unique code texted to the phone.<\/p>\n

The North’s Minister of Health Robin Swann said: \u201cDeploying this world leading technology can prove a major factor in helping our efforts to curb Covid-19 and prevent its spread.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts potential to be a game changer will, however, be totally dependent on the support of the Northern Ireland public.\u201d<\/p>\n

Once the user gives permissions, the app will release data from the handset to a server so close contacts also using the app can be traced following a \u201cdigital handshake\u201d between their devices, Stormont\u2019s health department said.<\/p>\n

The intention is to alert close contacts of a patient within a day or two of a positive test.<\/p>\n

The software\u2019s use will be voluntary and identifiable information will not be stored to comply with data protection regulations, an official told the health committee of Assembly members.<\/p>\n

The operating system is designed by Google and Apple and its use will require Bluetooth to remain on.<\/p>\n

The app has already been deployed in the Republic and more than 100 people have been warned they have come into close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case.<\/p>\n

Almost 1.45 million people have downloaded it since it went live in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

Eight more positive cases of coronavirus have been detected in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said. The total number of people who have been infected is 5,938.<\/p>\n

No new deaths were recorded, leaving the total in the region at 556, according to official figures.<\/p>\n

The R number for the coronavirus\u2019 reproductive rate is at between 0.5 and 1, the Department of Health said.<\/p>\n

It added: \u201cWhen community transmission of the virus is very low, R will no longer be the most important number for the purpose of policy decisions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn particular, once the number of new cases is sufficiently low in the context of a robust testing program and test\/trace\/protect strategy, the number of positive tests per day is likely to be a more important parameter.<\/p>\n

\u201cR continues to show a high degree of volatility and be heavily influenced by small local clusters, and is therefore not the key indicator for policy decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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