Washington releases an app for cell phones that notifies the user if they came into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. | Adobe Stock
Washington releases an app for cell phones that notifies the user if they came into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. | Adobe Stock
A new anonymous exposure notification system may help mitigate the coronavirus's spread in Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee and the Department of Health said in November.
The tool is a smartphone app called WA Notify, the state said in a release, that will alert users if they spend extended amounts of time near another user of the app who later receives a positive COVID-19 test.
Inslee said that the technology is "secure, private and anonymous" and called it an essential tool for Washington in its fight to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"We've deployed WA Notify in 29 languages so as many Washington residents as possible can protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities," Inslee said in the Nov. 30 release. "I encourage everyone to start using WA Notify today so we can continue to work together to contain this virus."
Early studies suggest that digital exposure tracking could help manage COVID spread if even a small number of residents downloaded the app.
"WA Notify complements the actions Washington residents are already taking, like wearing masks, physical distancing and keeping gatherings small," Secretary of Health John Wiesman said. "We're excited to be joining the states already using this safe and secure technology and encourage all Washingtonians to join the effort."
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