LANSING, Mich. – If you get a text message this week from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), it’s not a scam. The state is reaching out via text to encourage people to sign up for the MI COVID Alert app. PREVIOUS: Michigan testing pilot COVID app to alert possible exposures: How it worksThe app relies on Bluetooth to determine location and users to anonymously input whether they have tested positive. The text messages sent this week has a link in it to send you to the app page. Downloading is free, and success of the MI COVID Alert app depends on how many participate.

The texts encouraging Michiganders to download the app are sent to individuals based on publicly available resident contact information. DETROIT – On Monday, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced the launch of a statewide text outreach aimed at increasing awareness abut the state’s new exposure notification mobile app, MI COVID Alert. Because MI COVID Alert users are anonymous, some individuals who already downloaded the app may still receive a text message. Some text messages include a short link to the state’s website directing residents to the MI COVID Alert landing page. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 463,403 as of Monday, including 11,532 deaths, state officials report.

DETROIT – MI COVID Alert is an app that is now available in both the Apple and Google app stores for free and is voluntary. The state launched the app after testing it out at Michigan State University. The success of the app depends on how many people download it and would voluntarily input their COVID-19 diagnosis. It would start with a PIN number from their local health department. READ: Early results suggest Pfizer vaccine is 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19READ: What role are Michigan schools playing in spread of COVID-19?

Michigan is expanding its COVID-19 exposure app for residents to use statewide after a successful pilot program in October. “Using MI COVID Alert on your cell phone is a simple, safe step that everyone can take to protect themselves and their loved ones. Michigan worked with Apple and Google to make MI COVID Alert compatible with similar apps in other states. The exposure notification feature included in recent iOS and Android operating system updates only works with a companion app like MI COVID Alert. How to download:Just search “MI COVID Alert” in your app store and download it for free.

The new app, MI COVID Alert, developed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) and Michigan State University (MSU), is being tested on MSU’s campus and in surrounding communities. How it worksMI COVID Alert is a voluntary, anonymous exposure notification smartphone app available at no cost. MI COVID Alert uses low energy Bluetooth technology to detect nearby phones that also have the app. Michigan worked with Apple and Google to make MI COVID Alert compatible with similar apps in other states. How to downloadThe exposure notification feature included in recent iOS and Android operating system updates only works with a companion app like MI COVID Alert.