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App launched in Michigan to alert people exposed to COVID-19

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LANSING, Mich. — The state health department and Michigan State University are launching a voluntary smartphone app to notify people who've been exposed to someone with the coronavirus, a step toward potentially taking the technology statewide.

MI COVID Alert is available for download and is starting as pilot in the Lansing area.

A person testing positive is given a PIN by contact tracers allowing them to share their result anonymously on the app, which uses cellphone location information and Bluetooth technology.

Other app users who were within 6 feet of the infected person for at least 15 minutes are notified.

They aren't told who tested positive.