Durham Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Robert Kyle, has outlined the benefits of the Covid Alert app that can help with public health’s efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19.
“You are urged to use the app for the duration of the Covid-19 outbreak, that way when people in your area report a diagnosis, you’ll be notified if you were near them,” he said.
This app works by letting people know of possible exposures to Covid-19 before any symptoms appear. It uses Bluetooth technology to exchange random codes with nearby phones. Everyday, the app checks a list of random codes from people who tell the app that they have tested positive for Covid-19, Dr.Kyle explained.
“If you’ve been near one of these codes in the past 14 days, you’ll receive a notification,” he said.
Privacy Fears
Dr.Kyle said the Covid Alert app does not use GPS or track your location. It has no way of knowing:
- Your location
- Your name or address
- Your phone’s contacts
- Your health information; or,
- The health information of anyone near you
“No one will get any information about you or the time you were near them,” he emphasized.
The Covid Alert app is just one part of the public health effort to limit the spread of Covid-19. He said everyone is still encouraged:
- To follow all public health guidelines and recommendations
- Continue to stay informed
- Practise physical distancing
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and
- Wear a non-medical mask or face covering in all indoor, enclosed public spaces
Covid Alert does not replace manual contact tracing by local public health units and it does not replace medical advice. If you get sick, you are encouraged to contact your healthcare provider, said Dr.Kyle..
Last week, the Government of Canada introduced the Covid Alert app, a notification app that provides information regarding potential exposure to Covid-19 to help control the spread of the virus.
Covid Alert is free of charge and can be downloaded to your smartphone by visiting the Apple App store or Google Play store.
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