The State of Connecticut invites members of the UConn community to use a new app, COVID Alert CT, to help people learn without sharing personal information if they have been near someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus.
UConn students, employees and others may participate on a voluntary basis by downloading the app, which is available to Apple and Android users. Apple users might also receive a notification from the company to let them know the platform has been enabled if they wish to use it.
Connecticut rolled out the program on Thursday, Nov. 12. In addition to being helpful while they are on campus, UConn students might also find it a good tool to use while they are home for the period between Thanksgiving break and the start of spring semester.
UConn encourages the use of this technology but reminds students and others in the community that it does not replace or change current health and safety procedures and guidelines, which are available at reopen.uconn.edu.
The technology is an enhancement to existing contact-tracing efforts by both the University and the Connecticut Department of Public Health. UConn Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) is still responsible for the contact tracing for all Storrs-based students; continue to follow their guidance. Regional students still must upload positive test results to their SHaW medical records.
Android users can download the state notification app onto their devices from Google Play, and Apple device users can find it in their notification settings (requires iOS 13.7 or later), where they turn on the “Exposure Notification” option.
The technology works by exchanging anonymous tokens – not any personal information – with other users’ devices that also have the notification option enabled if it’s determined via Bluetooth that the users have had close contact. (Close contact is defined as being within six feet for 15 minutes or more within a 24-hour period). More information about the privacy policy can be found here.
Users will receive an alert if they were near someone within the past 14 days who tested positive for COVID-19 and who was in close contact, based on the anonymous tokens. It does not identify the other person but provides information about reaching a contact tracer.
If you test positive for COVID-19, a contact tracer will provide you with a code to report to the app, which provides a security measure to ensure that people cannot falsely report a positive as a prank.
State officials have provided more information about enabling exposure notifications, along with answers to common questions about privacy and other topics, at ct.gov/covidalertct.
Please continue to follow UConn’s procedures, which operate independently of the app and which include UConn-specific contact tracing and health and safety guidance.
For more information, contact: University Communications at 860-486-0871