An Irish company is launching a new platform to help businesses quickly react to COVID-19 outbreaks as they occur.

Health Passport Ireland has created a portal where staff-member’s COVID-19 health status can be accessed, validated, and rapidly updated by doctors.

The portal has been designed for use with all official COVID-19 testing types and has been future proofed for future testing methods – including the rapid antigen test which can offer results within 15 minutes.

The company has also launched a trial of the technology which it hopes will allow businesses to remain open while keeping staff safe.

The trial is currently underway in nursing homes, hospitals, food processing plants and crèches around the country.

ROQU, the company behind the technology, believes it could also help people travel abroad in future.

Company CEO Robert Quirke told Newstalk Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly that there are many uses for the technology in everyday life.

“Everybody who has been tested for COVID-19 will have the option to be included on Health Passport Ireland which allows them to display and also scan their real-time COVID status whenever appropriate,” he said.

“So, there are an incredible number of usage scenarios where this enters our daily life - everything from availing of services, to education to international travel.

“The system has been designed so everybody can use the technology. It is open to anybody who has been tested for COVID-19 by a medical professional and they can then use the platform to upload those COVID-19 results which can then be displayed or scanned whenever required.”

The trial is currently underway at a number of businesses including Tallaght University Hospital, Oaklodge Nursing Home, Emerald Freight, Keogh’s Farm, Home Music Festival and a county Meath based crèche.

The Health Passport platform is also set to be launched in the US, UK, Italy, Kenya and Germany, with “other locations to follow.”