Pennsylvania’s COVID AlertPa app can now be used by mobile phone users as young as 13 as health officials try to stop the virus’ spread in state schools, officials said Monday.
“By expanding the age range, middle- and high-school students will be able to add their phones to the fight and help in contact tracing that occurs in their schools if a positive case is identified,” state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine told a virtual news conference. So far, COVID AlertPa, had been limited to people 18 and over.
Some school districts continue to conduct in-person instruction, even though every county has passed the thresholds of new cases where the state Department of Education recommended fully remote instruction.
You can read: Pennsylvania officials send first COVID-19 alert message to residents
Levine explained that a parent or legal guardian must approve the minor’s use of the COVID AlertPa.
Hospitals at capacity
State health officials warn with more than 4,400 people hospitalized from COVID throughout Pennsylvania, 914 in the ICU and 465 on ventilators throughout the commonwealth, hospitals will soon be at capacity.
Levine says about 8,000 new cases in the last two weeks have been in school age children which is why officials dropped the age of those who can download the state’s COVID AlertPA app to 13 with parental consent.
“Middle and high school students will be able to add their phones to the fight and help in contact tracing that occurs in their schools if a positive case is identified,” says Dr. Levine.
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