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WATCH: By July, you'll be able to download COVID Alert tracing app on your phone

The app was made-in-Ontario to help trace COVID-19 cases across Canada

Update:

The provincial government announced that a new, made-in-Ontario national mobile application called COVID Alert will be launching within the next two week.

Users will be able to voluntarily download the app and be notified anonymously if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days. In Ontario, the app will also provide users with quick access to Ontario's public health advice and resources, and recommend any necessary actions, such as monitoring for symptoms, self-isolation or appropriate next steps on getting tested.

Today, Premier Doug Ford also announced the following enhancements to the provinces' case management plan:

  • Supporting public health units with up to 1,700 additional staff from Statistics Canada for contact tracing
  • Improving technology tools by modernizing the integrated Public Health Information System (iPHIS) through the implementation of a new custom-built COVID-19 case and contact management system; and
  • Launching a privacy-first exposure notification app to alert Ontarians when they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Original story:

Premier Doug Ford is slated to provide an update to Ontarians on COVID-19 at 1:00 p.m. at Queen's Park today.

It is expected that Ford will unveil a new contact tracing strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced this morning that a mobile application was being developed for use across Canada. He said that Ford would be providing more details on the app's development in his press conference.

The premier will be joined by Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health, to make the announcement.   

Village Media will carry the livestream, so stay tuned.