StopCOVID NI App just got smarter

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced that the StopCOVID NI App will soon provide individualised recommended end date for self-isolation.

The updated version of the App will be released before the end of November and will confirm the date when a user’s self-isolation period will end.

Welcoming the new development the Minister said: “The balance has been between privacy and precision – we now have enough users of the app, and sufficient numbers of positive test results, to make this information available via the app, without compromising anonymity.

“Feedback though our app support line, indicates a public appetite for greater precision in the period of self-isolation, relating the advice to the date of their actual ‘close contact’ with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.”

 This will mean that rather than isolating for 14 days from receiving the notification those who are alerted will be given the date when their contact occurred and when their isolation period can end.

For example, if an alert relates to a contact with an infected person that took place 5 days ago, your end-date for isolation will be 9 days from receiving the notification (14 days from when the contact occurred).

Quality assurance testing of the new version of the app, which incorporates features available through the API produced by Google and Apple, is presently underway.

Once testing is completed, and subject to successful conclusion of discussions with the Information Commissioners’ Office it is planned to release version 2.3 to the app stores later this month.

Notes to editors: 

1. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
2. Follow us on twitter @healthdpt.             

2. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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