App Developed to Keep Track of COVID-19 Outbreaks

Michigan — Businesses have to comply with Executive Orders that require monitoring of employees’ health in order to try to keep COVID-19 infection rates under control. Now, there’s an app for that.

The State of Michigan has launched the MI Symptoms Web Application. While anyone can use it, the tool is intended for employers and employees to enter information daily to both identify symptoms for their own safety and for local and state public health officials to collect and analyze the data. The data will be used to identify potential outbreaks of COVID-19.

The app was developed by state agencies and the University of Michigan School of Public Health and College of Engineering. According to a press release from the state, “U-M and MDHHS are using robust security, along with continuous monitoring services, to protect individual’s private symptom data and other personal information. MI Symptoms does not track users through their phone using Bluetooth or GPS.”

The data will be aggregated in the MI Safe Start Map dashboard, which is one of the main data drivers behind the steps to reengage Michigan’s economy. More information can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland