Utah launching Apple-Google exposure notification app on February 17
Utah is launching Coronavirus exposure notifications, using the Apple and Google framework, on Wednesday.
The Exposure Notifications API allows users to perform contact tracing while remaining anonymous
"Modeling has produced estimates that if just 15% of a population uses Exposure Notifications, that in combination with manual contact tracing, there can be up to a 15% reduction in COVID-19 infections and 11% fewer deaths," said Navina Forsythe, director of Utah's Department of Health Center for Health Data and Informatics while announcing the launch. "A higher percentage of participation can lead to even greater reductions in disease."
In May 2020, Utah had shunned the Apple-Google framework in favor of Healthy Together, an app made by a social media startup that includes personally identifiable information. The Healthy Together app is still active for Utahns, leaving residents with two state-sanctioned contact-tracing models.
In the Apple-Google API, nobody knows the identities of anyone else with whom their devices exchanged tokens. It uses anonymized tokens and Bluetooth to trace exposure between individuals. When someone tests positive, the Utah Department of Health will give them a verification code to enter into the Exposure Notifications system. The platform will use that token to alert others who came into contact with them, advising them to watch for symptoms and get tested.
This chart shows how the Apple-Google anonymous contact-tracing system works
Apple and Google collaborated on the system in the first months of the pandemic in the U.S. Apple released its first beta in April 2020. The API exited beta the following month.
Starting with iOS 13.7, Exposure Notifications are built into iOS, allowing users to participate in their state or region's program without installing a separate app.
Utah-based iOS users can sign up by doing the following:
The Exposure Notifications API allows users to perform contact tracing while remaining anonymous
"Modeling has produced estimates that if just 15% of a population uses Exposure Notifications, that in combination with manual contact tracing, there can be up to a 15% reduction in COVID-19 infections and 11% fewer deaths," said Navina Forsythe, director of Utah's Department of Health Center for Health Data and Informatics while announcing the launch. "A higher percentage of participation can lead to even greater reductions in disease."
In May 2020, Utah had shunned the Apple-Google framework in favor of Healthy Together, an app made by a social media startup that includes personally identifiable information. The Healthy Together app is still active for Utahns, leaving residents with two state-sanctioned contact-tracing models.
In the Apple-Google API, nobody knows the identities of anyone else with whom their devices exchanged tokens. It uses anonymized tokens and Bluetooth to trace exposure between individuals. When someone tests positive, the Utah Department of Health will give them a verification code to enter into the Exposure Notifications system. The platform will use that token to alert others who came into contact with them, advising them to watch for symptoms and get tested.
This chart shows how the Apple-Google anonymous contact-tracing system works
Apple and Google collaborated on the system in the first months of the pandemic in the U.S. Apple released its first beta in April 2020. The API exited beta the following month.
Starting with iOS 13.7, Exposure Notifications are built into iOS, allowing users to participate in their state or region's program without installing a separate app.
Utah-based iOS users can sign up by doing the following:
- Go to the Settings app
- Scroll down to Exposure Notifications
- Select the option to "Turn on Exposure Notifications"
- Selecting United States
- Select Utah
Comments
Apple and Google and state agencies should do more to get the word out about successes based on this system. I've had it on my phone since the beginning here in Virginia and I have no idea if it's doing any good. Have I interacted with thousands of people who have this app or zero? Without some positive reinforcement, I don't see the average using going out of their way to activate it (or not decline it).
At lot of effort went into this system, it would be nice to hear that it's working.