Press Release, Public Health
Governor Tom Wolf announces that more than 165,000 Pennsylvanians have downloaded the COVID Alert PA Exposure Notification mobile app in the first week of its release Apple And Google App stores.
“Thank you to all the people of Pennsylvania who have already downloaded the COVID Alert PA app and added their phone to the fight against COVID-19,” Wolf said. “This is the simplest, safest way to help each of us protect our communities from COVID-19, and I encourage every Pennsylvania to download the app today. When we united to stop COVID-19, we achieved more than we could do alone. ”
COVID Alert PA is a free, voluntary mobile application developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health in partnership with Nearform, Yupen and MIT Lincoln Laboratory using Apple and Google exposure notification systems. Features of the app include interactive COVID-19 symptom checker, warnings of potential exposure to the virus, updates on the latest public health data about COVID-19 in PA, and public health guidance on what to do if you have potential exposure to COVID. 19.
“The people of Pennsylvania are united in stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our communities, and they are downloading the app to make sure their phone is part of the fight,” said Health Secretary Dr Rachel Levine. “The more people who download this app, the more effective it will be in slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. This app does not track your position or movement; It uses Bluetooth technology to send COVID-19 exposure notification if you are in close contact with people who have tested positive for COVID-19. ”
The app is designed with privacy at the forefront. The app does not use GPS, location services or any movement or geographic information. It never collects, transmits or stores personal information. In other words, it is completely anonymous. The app collects user statistics such as the number of downloads or the pathological check-in population that people can voluntarily share. In the first week of availability, we know:
- There were 165,678 downloads on smartphone devices;
- There were an average of 23,659 COVID check-ins for symptoms per day; And
- 96% of app users report having a “good feeling” during their COVID check-in per day.
Here is how the COVID Alert PA works:
- The app uses anonymous Bluetooth low power proximity technology to find out when your phone is within six feet of another phone with the app for 15 minutes or more.
- When the app user confirms a positive COVID-19 test result, it checks that your phone is compatible with the anonymous Bluetooth close contact interactions it has had for the past 14 days.
- If there is a match, the COVID alert can be sent after considering the PA date, exposure duration and Bluetooth signal strength (the result of which is used to estimate how close your phone is to the phone of the person with the positive test).
The more people who download the app, the more effective it will be to help stop the spread of COVID. The app can be viewed Google Play Store Yet Apple App Store By searching for “COVID Alert PA”.
Find more information about the COVID Alert PA app Here.
Beatrice Ashford is a contributor at Nintendo-power.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the world around them.