app

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan has launched the statewide rollout of a voluntary, free coronavirus app that notifies users if they have potentially been in close contact with infected people. Monday's announcement comes weeks after the state began piloting the technology in Ingham County, including at Michigan State University. State Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon is encouraging all Michiganders to download the app onto their smartphones, especially as COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations are surging after an initial wave subsided last spring.

Researchers at Indianapolis-based Regenstrief Institute are asking people to help collect data on mask usage through a new web app.

The institute has tracked data throughout the pandemic on cases, positivity rates and hospitalizations. Regenstrief President and CEO Dr. Peter Embi says the MaskCount app makes it easier to track widespread data. 

“We wanted to create an app that protected everyone's privacy, but allowed people to share what they were seeing so that we can have better data on mask wearing,” Embi said.