From top: Bryan Dobson; HSE Specialist in Public Health Medicine Dr Sarah Doyle
This lunchtime.
On RTÉ Radio One’s News At One.
Dr Sarah Doyle, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, spoke to Bryan Dobson about the contact-tracing controversy.
Thousands of people, who have tested positive for Covid-19 have recieved texts today telling them to carry out their own contact-tracing.
From their conversation:
Bryan Dobson: “Is it inevitable that infections will be missed as a result?”
Dr Sarah Doyle: “Well, I think that, and you’ve just mentioned Bryan, that people who may receive potentially shocking news and I would acknowledge that this will come as a shock to some people and then some people may take it somewhat in their stride, and it might be more difficult for others. And what I would say is to people to draw a breath, sit down, maybe have a chat with a friend and just reflect on what we’re asking people to do in this, is to identify their close contacts.
“Obviously, if they’re unwell, they would still need to phone their GP and make contact with them. And I guess what this is about and what contact tracing is about, and it’s a part of a number of different public health measures, to manage this pandemic. What it is about is identifying as many people at risk of spreading infection as possible and ensuring that they do…”
Dobson: “Yes…”
Doyle: “…what is needed to prevent the spread of infection. So…”
Dobson: “But do you…”
Doyle: “…those people who have had positive test results they now get a text message as soon as we have that result, they get that result…”
Dobson: “Yeah…but can you…”
Doyle: “… and from that point they should be self-isolating….”
Dobson: “OK…”
Doyle: “….and cutting down claims of transmission…”
Dobson: “Are you….”
Doyle: “…and…identifying close contacts. Acknowledging that obviously it is not…”
Dobson: “Doctor Doyle, it’s a straightforward question. Do you accept that infections will be missed as a result of this?”
Silence.
Dobson: “And I think we seem to have lost our link to Dr Sarah Doyle, of the HSE. No, she’s gone? Ok, well we’ll continue on this….”
Earlier: Trace The Blame
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