Washington University in St. Louis is launching a smartphone system that allows Washington University faculty, staff and students to use COVID-19 Exposure Notifications. It is being launched with approval from the state of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and uses the exposure notifications system provided by Google and Apple.
The university is piloting the system, called MO/Notify, which can alert users when they have been near another user who has tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. The goal of the pilot program is to investigate how effective the system can be in the university’s arsenal against COVID-19. After the pilot period, Washington University will look to lead efforts to potentially expand the system. Exposure Notifications is already in use in 25 states, including California, Colorado and Washington.