Have you been exposed to virus? Apple, Google software lets you know

Transcript

Apple and Google are developing new contact tracing technology using smartphones and Bluetooth technology to alert those who may have been close to someone infected.

And health officials in North Dakota have partnered with creators of a popular bison tracker app to launch a new app called Care19.

Those who download Care19 will get a random ID number.

The North Dakota coronavirus response website says the app will anonymously store data of each user’s locations throughout the day.

And if they test positive for Covid-19, the state says users will be given the opportunity to consent to provide their information to health officials.

This will help in contact tracing and forecasting the pandemic’s progression with accurate, real-time data.

But there are limitations to the new technology.

Users would have to opt-in and it’s not clear whether enough people will do so to make the effort worthwhile.

And people without smartphones wouldn’t get notified.

Posted – 5.5.20