Virginia has rolled out a smartphone app to automatically notify people if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus, becoming the first U.S.
state to use new pandemic technology created by Apple and Google.The Covidwise app was available on the tech giants’ app stores Wednesday ahead of an expected announcement from Democratic Gov.
Ralph Northam.“We’re using every possible approach to fight this virus and keep Virginians healthy,” Northam said in a statement provided to AP that encouraged all Virginians to download the app. “The COVIDWISE app is completely anonymous, protects personal privacy, and gives you an additional tool to protect yourself and your community."It comes nearly four months after Apple and Google said they were.