Residents encouraged to download COVID app

Health Canada is asking British Columbians to download its COVID Alert app despite the provincial government not yet agreeing to support the technology.

Health Canada officials said the app could still be of use even without it being adopted in B.C.

“The COVID Alert app is free and voluntary, and is another tool to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and prevent future outbreaks,” said Health Canada spokesperson Maryse Durette.

“At all levels of uptake, COVID Alert can help reduce transmission. The more people who use the app the more effective it will be.”

Durette said Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island had all adopted the app. Nova Scotia announced last week that it would also be on board shortly.

“The federal government continues its discussions with provinces and territories, including British Columbia to roll out the app so all Canadians can benefit,” Durette said.

Alberta, Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut have also not signed on.

Durette said that people in B.C. should still download the app.

The number of people who have downloaded the app has soared by more than a million over the past two weeks and is now at 4.6 million.

The app notifies users if they have been exposed to someone who has tested COVID-19 positive.

Users who test positive and have the app are given a one-time key from their health authority that they enter into the app and notify anyone who has been close to them for at least 15 minutes. Health Canada has issued 1,696 of these keys.”