More states are launching mobile apps to support COVID-19 contact tracing and exposure notification efforts as cases continue to surge across the country.
Here is how nine states are using mobile apps to help track and limit the spread of COVID-19, listed by the most recent reported initiatives.
Minnesota: The state launched its mobile tracking app COVIDawareMN Nov. 23. Developed in partnership with the nonprofit PathCheck Foundation, the app uses Apple and Google's exposure notification technology and can anonymously notify one another of possible exposure risks, according to the Star Tribune.
Colorado: The state's public health and environment department on Oct. 25 launched a COVID-19 exposure notification app using Apple and Google's joint framework.
New York: On Oct. 1, the state rolled out its contact tracing app named Covid Alert NY. The app was built using Apple and Google's joint system.
Pennsylvania: The state's health department in September deployed a new mobile app built using Apple and Google's exposure notification system. The state partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania and app developer NearForm to develop the Covid Alert PA app.
Nevada: The state's health department used Apple and Google's joint framework to build its COVID-19 tracking app but redesigned the app to increase the focus on increased privacy transparency. The app discloses with users at the first point of download the information they will and won't collect from them.
Wyoming: launched a COVID-19 tracking app, built with Google and Apple's joint framework, that allows people to personalize recommendations such as adding a business or university affiliation to get information specific to their school or employer.
Arizona: State officials created a contact tracing app using Apple and Google's framework and designed for different categories of users: people at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University as well as residents of Arizona in general. When the app alerts users who have been in close proximity to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, quarantine recommendations are tailored according to apparent risk.
Virginia: On Aug. 5, Virginia became the first U.S. state to launch a COVID-19 tracking app built with Google and Apple's jointly developed exposure notification system.
North Dakota: A Microsoft software engineer in June used the backbone from the app he designed to track football fans' migration to build a contact tracing app that has been deployed throughout the state.