Terazo has signed on to be one of the launch partners of an innovative new app that aims to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Richmond, VA (August 6, 2020) – Terazo is proud to announce the company has signed on to be one of the launch partners of an innovative new app that aims to slow the spread of COVID-19. The app, developed by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), is the first of its kind in the nation and the first government entity to take advantage of new contact tracing technology developed by teams from Apple and Google.
Known as COVIDWISE, the new app is a strictly opt-in, privacy-focused platform that uses Bluetooth Low Energy to inform users when they may have been in close proximity to other users who have self-reported a positive test result for COVID-19.
As a launch partner, Terazo joins brands such as NASCAR, the University of Virginia, Christopher Newport University, and the University of Richmond in encouraging its team members, through internal communications, to opt-in to the program and download the app.
An ad for the Virginia Department of Health's COVIDWISE app
“This type of innovative, privacy-first technology is something that perfectly fits in with our values, and we’re excited to help promote this new program as we all do our part to fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Terazo Chief Digital Officer Chris Busse. “Tools like this that provide such a substantial public health benefit and also respect the wishes and privacy of its users are a win for all involved.”
COVIDWISE works by using random Bluetooth keys that change every 10 to 20 minutes. iOS and Android devices that have the app installed will anonymously share these random keys if they are within close proximity for at least 15 minutes. Each day, the device downloads a list of all random keys associated with positive COVID-19 results submitted by other app users and checks them against the list of random keys it has encountered in the last 14 days. If there is a match, COVIDWISE may notify the individual, taking into account the date and duration of exposure, and the Bluetooth signal strength which is used to estimate proximity.
“This type of innovative, privacy-first technology is something that perfectly fits in with our values, and we’re excited to help promote this new program as we all do our part to fight the COVID-19 pandemic."
Chris Busse, Chief Digital Officer of Terazo
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 will be notified by a VDH case investigator and will be given a unique numeric code. This code is entered into the app by the user and serves as verification of a positive report. Others who have downloaded COVIDWISE and have been in close proximity to the individual who reported as being positive will receive a notice which reads, “You have likely been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.” Health officials hope this will prompt the user to get tested.
Click here to learn more about the program and download the app to your mobile device. Learn more about how COVIDWISE works in the video below.