Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd answers your questions
New cases of coronavirus might be coming down, but vigilance is still vital and one of the latest weapons in the national fight is the COVIDSafe app. Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd answers readers’ questions.
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AUSTRALIANS appear to be embracing the Federal Government’s new COVIDSafe app, which was launched on Sunday night.
More than 2.4 million people downloaded the app within 48 hours of its release, the Government has revealed.
The app uses encrypted Bluetooth communications between phones to register when smartphones have been within 1.5m of one another for at least 15 minutes and can be used by health officials if a user tests positive to COVID-19.
The voluntary app has received the backing of by doctors, nursing, business and banking groups, and is tipped to play a major role in streamlining the process of identifying contacts after a person tests positive for coronavirus. It also helps patients quarantine themselves faster and access treatment.
Federal Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, was online today to answer your questions. Here’s what he had to say.
Q. Why do we need an app if the cases are coming down?
A. Part of Australia’s ongoing response is to increase our capacity to test more people, to conduct contact tracing when new cases are detected, and to respond rapidly to any outbreaks. Although Australia currently has a low level of community transmission, and we hope this remains the case, there is a risk that the number of cases may increase over time.
Q. Has the app picked anyone up yet and what happened?
A. To date there have been no reports from state and territory contact tracers but this is not surprising given the low number of people currently infected with the coronavirus in Australia.
Q. It seems to me that this will only work if lots of people sign up for the app. How many people have to join for it to work properly?
A. Lots of people have signed up: over 2.5 million people all across Australia have already downloaded the app. This provides an excellent initial base to build on. Of course, the more people who sign up, the better. The app is supporting the existing contact tracing processes being undertaken by state and territory health officials, which continues.
Q. There have been some scams going around with COVID-19 apps – how do I know which one is the safe one, and how safe is my information from hackers?
A: Please only use the COVIDSafe app provided by the Australian Government Department of Health through official app stores. Please refer to health.gov.au if you are unsure about the app you are about to download. You will not receive any emails or social media messages regarding the app. The only contact with you will be by state and territory health officials responsible for contact tracing using the phone number you have provided in the event that you, or one of your contacts, has tested positive for COVID-19. The app itself has been assessed by the Australian Cybersecurity Centre to ensure the safeguards put in place to protect your information from any potential hackers.
Q. If you are found to have been near a positive COVID-19 case does that require you to then isolate for a period of days (ie 14 days) each time that happens (if you’re unlucky)?
A. If you are contacted by a state or territory health official conducting contact tracing, you will be advised about what steps to take, including the need for self-isolation and testing.
Q. What has been the experience in other countries that have used similar tracing apps? Has it proved successful?
A. Contact tracing is fundamental to the COVID-19 response in most countries around the world. A number of other countries, in addition to Australia, are looking to digitise contact tracing like we are, including New Zealand, Germany and the United Kingdom. It is too early to judge the success in individual countries. Early experience in Singapore has shown that contact tracing apps can be an important part of a national response.
Q. I have downloaded the app. What do I do if I get a message? And can I change my mind and delete it?
A. You can delete the app at any time. The only messages you will receive on your phone are push notifications in the application reminding you to keep Bluetooth on and keep the app running in the background while using your phone. Any contact from a state or territory contact tracing official will be through a phone call to the phone number you have registered.
Q. We hear there is some suggestion the information may be made available overseas for the purposes of study?
A. Absolutely not. There are legal protections enacted by the Australian Government which prevent information being made available to anyone outside Australia.
Q. Are there any plans to make the app available for older versions of Android and iOS?
A. Yes. Work is underway to make the app available for older versions of Android and iOS.
Q. Why 15 minutes? I don’t spend 15 minutes with anyone but my husband. What if someone at the shops sneezes or coughs near me but only spends one minute near me? I could get the virus but not be notified.
A. The COVIDSafe app is only one way of helping to protect you and your family and the wider community from COVID-19. It will only record contacts where you have been within approximately 1.5m of another app user for 15 minutes or more. It is essential to reduce your risk of infection by continuing to maintain physical distancing measures, including staying at least 1.5m from other people when outside your home, avoid physical greetings such as handshaking, hugs and kisses, use tap and go instead of cash, travel at quiet times and avoid crowds, ensure that you are maintaining your hand hygiene at all times, avoid touching your face, and, if you develop fever or respiratory symptoms, stay at home in self-isolation and contact your GP for advice or the call the Australian Government’s National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.
Q. Did all of the State Governments (and their medical advisers) have active, ongoing input in the consultations over the development and rollout of the app – and over roughly what period of time? Or was this something that was the domain purely of the Federal Government (and their medical advisers)?
A. Yes, all state and territory governments were actively involved in the consultations over the development and rollout of the app. The app was considered several times over the past three weeks by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), which is comprised of all state and territory Chief Health Officers and is chaired by the Australian Chief Medical Officer. A working group of the AHPPC involving contact tracing officials from states and territories supported Federal Government officials in the development and initial rollout of the app, and continues to be involved in the ongoing rollout of the app. The app was endorsed by all state and territory leaders through the National Cabinet.
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