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For those who have the app, Health Canada says it’s OK to delete

Following a thorough review of the COVID Alert, the Government of Canada has now decided to decommission the application effective today.
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OTTAWA – Although many were skeptical about Health Canada’s COVID Alert application, more than 6.9 million people living in Canada downloaded the app to stop the spread of COVID-19.

According to Health Canada, over 57,000 users who tested positive for COVID-19 used the app to notify others of possible exposure.

Back in July 2020, The Government of Canada launched the national exposure notification application at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Along with the public health measures in place at the time, COVID Alert provided an additional tool to help limit the spread of the virus.

While the pandemic is not over, COVID numbers are declining across the country. 

However, with the lifting of travel vaccination restrictions and mask mandates, the COVID Alert app is now just another app taking up space on your smartphone. 

Health Canada says that the decision to decommission COVID Alert comes after careful consideration following discussions with provinces and territories.  The outcome of these discussions was that the exposure rate varies from province to province and that there wasn’t enough sufficient data to continue to run the app. 

Furthermore, over the last few months, the country saw a steady decline in PCR testing, and the was issuing app fewer one-time keys.

Therefore, fewer notifications of potential exposures were sent to users, resulting in lower app usage.

“The public health situation in Canada has improved. Case counts have fallen, and hospitalization and deaths are decreasing across the country,” said Health Canada in their release. “Following a successful vaccination campaign, 32 million (or nearly 90 per cent) of people living in Canada over the age of 12 have been vaccinated against COVID-19 with two doses.”

Canada has one of the highest rates of vaccination in the world.

And after two years of fighting off the spread, our hospitals are now better equipped to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and reduce pressure on the health care system.

Health Canada reiterates that vaccination continues to be one of the most effective tools to protect everyone, especially the strain on health care and the economy.

They still encourage that every to keep up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccines, including booster doses.

“We encourage everyone to stay aware of COVID-19 activity in their local area, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, including getting booster doses, and continue to take personal precautions including staying home if sick, improving ventilation and continuing to wear masks when with people in the shared indoor or crowded spaces,” Health Canada advises.

Find instructions on how to delete the COVID Alert here.

 


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Clint Fleury

About the Author: Clint Fleury

Clint Fleury is a web reporter covering Northwestern Ontario and the Superior North regions.
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