The WeHealth Bermuda app — a free smartphone application that provides anonymous Covid-19 exposure notifications — is now available for download in the app store.
This was announced during last night’s [Nov 24] press briefing, with Premier David Burt explaining that, “Once the app is downloaded and installed, it runs in the background, just like any other app on your smartphone. When phones that have WeHealth Bermuda installed are near each other, the app uses Bluetooth signals to determine how long and how close the users were together.
“If a WeHealth Bermuda user tests positive for the coronavirus, they can privately share their diagnosis within the app. WeHealth Bermuda will then automatically send an anonymous Covid-19 exposure notification to anyone who was in close proximity long enough to be considered at risk of Covid-19 infection.”
This news comes amidst the island experiencing escalating cases, with the Premier saying that “the last few days have made clear – we have had an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Bermuda. We are hopeful that we have it contained, but the fact is that we cannot do it alone – it requires everyone’s assistance. Every single resident of the country.”
Speaking on the app last night, Premier Burt said, “This week we will pilot the WeHealth Bermuda app, a new, free smartphone application that provides anonymous Covid-19 exposure notifications. It is one of the most sophisticated apps available anywhere in the world for helping to control the spread of the coronavirus.
“The app leverages groundbreaking technology from Apple’s and Google’s jointly developed Exposure Notification System.
“When paired with manual contact tracing—and combined with other preventative measures, such as wearing masks and physical distancing—WeHealth Bermuda gives us all even greater protection from the coronavirus.
“The Government has partnered with WeHealth, an international public benefit corporation that created the WeHealth Bermuda app, to specifically customize this app for Bermuda.
“The Department of Health is in the final testing phases of WeHealth Bermuda. We do expect to find fixes and improvements that need to be made during early testing, but this is a normal part of any app launch.
“While we are in the final stages of testing the app, we welcome all Bermudians and visitors to download it ahead of the full launch from Apple’s App Store or Google Play. The app will run on iPhone models 6S and above with iOS version 13.7 installed. Android users can use the app if their phone supports Bluetooth Low Energy and Android Version 6 [API 23] or above.
“During this testing period, we welcome anyone who has downloaded WeHealth Bermuda app to send feedback on their app experience.
“Once the app is downloaded and installed, it runs in the background, just like any other app on your smartphone. When phones that have WeHealth Bermuda installed are near each other, the app uses Bluetooth signals to determine how long and how close the users were together.
“If a WeHealth Bermuda user tests positive for the coronavirus, they can privately share their diagnosis within the app. WeHealth Bermuda will then automatically send an anonymous Covid-19 exposure notification to anyone who was in close proximity long enough to be considered at risk of Covid-19 infection.
“Because the app logs Bluetooth signals and does not require contact information, WeHealth Bermuda can anonymously alert app users you do not personally know, which can help slow the spread.
“Every WeHealth Bermuda exposure alert will provide app users with the date and time of the possible exposure, along with an estimated risk level, and next steps to take from the Ministry of Health.
“Members of the WeHealth team met with the Privacy Commissioner and he supports the approach and steps the government has taken to protect the privacy and information of those who will download the app.
“WeHealth Bermuda notifications can help alert others to potential exposure, even before symptoms appear. Exposure notifications also allow people to quickly take the next step to help prevent any possible spread.
“WeHealth has a track record of success at two American universities where the app has been downloaded by 50,000 people. They have built off of that success to customize this app for Bermuda and our needs.
“You can also find more information about WeHealth Bermuda at gov.bm/wehealthpilot. Or you can download the app today, just search WeHealth Bermuda inside of your app store.
“Using technology, together we can make Bermuda safer.”
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