The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that it is currently conducting a pilot program for a new COVID-19 exposure notification mobile app, COVID Alert PA, which will be available to smartphone users starting early September.
The app is designed to help bolster the state’s contact tracing efforts, not replace them. Case investigators and contact tracing are still needed.
The department is partnering with the state of Delaware, along with NearForm, University of Pennsylvania and MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and Internet Privacy Research Institute to build the mobile app that will alert individuals of a possible exposure if they have been in close contact with a COVID-19-positive individual.
“This innovative solution will not replace our traditional contact tracing process, but it will enhance our COVID-19 response and give residents another tool to stay calm, stay alert and stay safe,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine. “By utilizing this technology, we can quickly notify more people who have been exposed to COVID-19. We hope when this app is available, Pennsylvanians will do the right thing and download, use it and continue to remain alert as we continue to fight this virus.”
In September, the COVID Alert PA app will be free to download in the Google Play store or Apple App store. This app is voluntary, but the more Pennsylvanians age 18 and older who adopt the app, the more successful efforts can be.
During a COVID-19 case investigation interview, the public health staff will ask if they have the app available and provide a six-digit validation code that the app user can upload and confirm their COVID-19 diagnosis. After the validation is completed, the app will use a push notification and send out an Exposure Alert to any individuals who came in close contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19.
The app does not enable any location services and is designed to be completely anonymous.
This app will further support the more than 1,200 trained contact tracers throughout the state, including 130 state health nurses and county and municipal health departments, leading and conducting COVID-19 contact tracing efforts. Case investigators, contact tracing efforts and ongoing monitoring are proven public health strategies to contain the spread of disease and are necessary to identify any instances of community spread and prevent larger outbreaks. More information on the state’s contact tracing efforts is available here.
“We are very committed and conscious of protecting the privacy and security of all Pennsylvanians,” said Levine. “This app will not use GPS to collect movement or geographic location of individuals. Instead, this app will be using Bluetooth proximity enabled exposure notification service technology provided by Apple and Google. It is important for users to know that we are not collecting any personal information with this app.”
In addition, the app will provide users with the latest information on COVID-19 in Pennsylvania from the department’s data dashboard.
