As NSW Health scales back on contact tracing, the Service NSW app is assisting with notifying residents of exposure sites, but there are concerns these alerts may be getting missed.
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The identification of COVID-19 exposure sites have been part of state-wide contact tracing processes, with venues of concern published on NSW Health's website.
Service NSW has been providing alerts since September to allow NSW Health to scale back on contact tracers as the state's vaccination rates rise and we learn to "live with the virus".
In the past three weeks, more than 700,000 COVID-19 case alerts have been sent via the state's check-in app, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello said the app's exposure alerts operate by notifying people via their smartphone if they have been to an exposure site.
The kicker? You have to search for it.
Minister Dominello told the Herald it is likely alerts through the Service NSW app won't be accompanied with automated push notifications until December 1.
How to check for exposure sites on the Service NSW app
Make sure you have the latest update installed before opening the app.
Tap 'COVID Safe Check-in' and then tap 'History', which shows the venue history for the past 28 days.
A red icon will appear in the history if there is a positive case at a venue attended.
The alert will display the business name and date of the person attended there and general advice to monitor for symptoms and get tested if any appear.
What to do if you receive an alert
The red alert icon will provide advice to monitor for symptoms and get a COVID-19 test if you feel unwell.
If you have symptoms or questions about COVID-19, customers should call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.
Grace Crivellaro
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
Court reporter for the Illawarra Mercury.
