133 Molesworth Street
PO Box 5013
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
T+64 4 496 2000
27 September 2021
Christian Poland
By email: [FYI request #16564 email]
Ref:
H202111226
Tēnā koe Christian
Response to your request for official information
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) on 30 August 2021
regarding the use of Bluetooth tracing during the recent August 2021 COVID-19 outbreak. You
asked:
“I seek all statistics, information and reports held about the usage of Bluetooth by contact
tracers during the August 2021 COVID-19 outbreak.
Specifically, is there any information (including demographic data) on how many cases:
— were asked if they had been using the Bluetooth functionality?
— were using the Bluetooth functionality?
— were asked to upload their Bluetooth keys to the NCTS?
— had their Bluetooth keys sent out to the general public?
I also ask whether contact tracers, or the scripts they are following, have forgotten about
Bluetooth functionality. I also ask that this request be considered urgently, as it appears
only one Bluetooth key has been sent out this entire outbreak.”
The Auckland Regional Public Health Service have confirmed that all cases are asked, as part
of the case investigation process, if they have Bluetooth functionality activated on their NZ
COVID Tracer app. The National Investigation and Tracing Centre has engaged with public
health units to maximise the use of Bluetooth alerts where possible throughout this outbreak.
The utilisation of Bluetooth technology is part of standard operating procedures for COVID-19
case investigation as well as included within the relevant training materials. Data regarding
whether a case does or does not have Bluetooth activated is not directly recorded in the
National Contact Tracing Solution.
The sending of Bluetooth alerts wholly relies on a positive case entering a unique code,
generated by the case investigator, into the app on their phone. The sending and receipt of
Bluetooth alerts is dependent on individuals having had Bluetooth activated on their mobile
phone and in the NZ COVID Tracer app. Individuals are only asked to share their Bluetooth
tracing data and digital diary if they test positive for COVID-19. Furthermore, if an individual is
identified as a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19, it remains their choice whether to
share their digital diary or to upload their Bluetooth keys.
The use of Bluetooth tracing is optional, and as of 20 September 2021, fewer than 10 positive
COVID-19 cases have uploaded their Bluetooth keys. These cases are predominantly female,
identify as New Zealand European, Asian and Pacific, and are aged between 20 and 58 years.
Due to the low numbers, providing any further specific details may compromise the privacy of
the individual. The Ministry of Health can confirm that one (1) unique code has been generated
during this outbreak, which did not result in a successful upload of that user’s Bluetooth keys.
I trust this information fulfils your request. Under section 28(3) of the Act, you have the right to
ask the Ombudsman to review any decisions made under this request. The Ombudsman may
be contacted by email at:
[email address] or by calling 0800 802 602.
Please note that this response, with your personal details removed, may be published on the
Ministry of Health website at:
www.health.govt.nz/about-ministry/information-releases.
Nāku noa, nā
Toby Regan
Acting Group Manager
National Investigation and Tracing Centre
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