/spgh/taxonomy/term/82/all en /spgh/channels/news/omicron-variant-testing-backlog-undermine-effectiveness-covid-alert-app-expert-says-cbc-news-335994 <p>Erica Moodie, Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, spoke to CBC News.</p> <p style="margin-left:40px">"A smartphone app launched by the Canadian government to help slow the spread of COVID-19 could be less effective in the latest wave of the pandemic, says an expert.</p> <p style="margin-left:40px">The COVID Alert app, launched in July of 2020 by the federal government, works by using a cellphone's Bluetooth signal to detect other app users who come within two metres for at least 15 minutes.</p> Mon, 03 Jan 2022 15:35:35 +0000 stephanie.laroche-pierre@mcgill.ca 1114 at /spgh /spgh/channels/news/how-many-lives-did-canadas-covid-19-alert-app-save-new-study-did-math-toronto-star-august-24-2021-332876 <p>Dr. Erica Moodie, Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, discusses a recent study she contributed to with the <em>Toronto Star</em>.</p> <p style="margin-left:40px">"An independent analysis of the federal government’s COVID Alert smartphone app concludes that over five months it reduced the number of cases in Canada by between 6,284 and 10,894 — and saved between 57 and 101 lives — but that few Canadians actually used it."</p> Fri, 27 Aug 2021 22:31:55 +0000 stephanie.laroche-pierre@mcgill.ca 880 at /spgh