Tech key to Omicron response

eHealthNews.nz: Covid-19

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

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NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Omicron Response The three phases of the government’s response to Omicron will involve greater use of technology, including text notifications for cases and close contacts and automated contact identification.

A number of technology solutions are being developed ‘at pace’ and more information will be available over the coming weeks.

Associate Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall has announced a three phase Omicron response plan that aims to slow down and limit the spread of an outbreak.

She says a ‘self-service model’ for contact tracing and rapid antigen testing will be key to responding to a high volume of cases.

In phase two, a rapid escalation in case numbers and pressure on resources will require a shift from identifying all infected people to being more targeted to those most at risk and those needed to keep the country going.

“Digital technology is used more in this phase,” explains Verrall.

“Cases will be notified via text message and be directed to an online self-investigation tool which will focus on high risk exposures. Information will be provided via email and phone based interviews will still take place where it’s required.”

Phase three, when cases are in the thousands, will also involve use of a ‘self-investigation’ tool to allow people to report high risk contacts.

The tool will target very high-risk exposures, narrowing the number of contacts identified and these people will be automatically notified.

“Digital technologies will continue to be utilised at this phase, and people will be supported to self-notify close contacts,” Verrall says.

“There will be continued support for those members of our community who are not digitally enabled.”

Picture: Associate Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall speaking at a press conference on Jan 26