Covid Alert PA downloaded more than 165,000 times in 1st week

More than 165,000 Pennsylvania residents have downloaded the state’s new contact tracing app, Covid Alert PA, Gov. Tom Wolf’s office announced Tuesday. The app has been available for about a week.

“Thank you to all of the Pennsylvanians who have already downloaded the Covid Alert PA app and added their phone to the fight against covid-19,” Wolf said in a statement. “This is a simple, secure way that each and every one of us can help protect our communities from covid-19 and I encourage every Pennsylvanian to download the app today. When we unite to stop covid-19, we accomplish much more than we ever could alone.”

Launched last Tuesday, the app was downloaded 50,000 times in the first 24 hours. The app is available in the Google Play and Apple stores and uses Bluetooth technology to know when a user’s phone is within six feet of another phone with the app for 15 minutes or more. If a user reports in the app that they tested positive for covid-19, it will send an alert to other users who were in close contact over the last 14 days.

In the last week, there were an average of 23,659 covid-19 check-ins on the app per day, officials said. Around 96% of app users reported “feeling good” during their check-in.

Officials say the app is designed with privacy “at the forefront.” It does not use GPS or location services, record movement or store any personal data. The app is completely anonymous.

“The more Pennsylvanians who download this app, the more effective it will be at slowing the spread of covid-19,” said Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine.

Pennsylvania reported 988 new covid-19 cases Tuesday, according to the state Department of Health. There were also 16 new coronavirus-related deaths reported.