New Delhi: The Central government has launched a new app that will help people determine whether they have been near a Covid-19 infected person as it tracks infections more accurately and effectively.

The 'Aarogya Setu' tracking app, is already available on Google Play Store on Android smartphones and App Store for iPhones. It helps people in tracking the coronavirus infection by using the smartphone's GPS system and Bluetooth; and provides information that will help users in determining if they have been near a Covid-19 infected person or not.

The app has been developed by the National Informatics Centre which comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The data in this app is encrypted and hence, secure for users to use. The app uses your location to know if the area you are in or have visited, comes under the infected areas of the database. The app also uses an activated Bluetooth to determine if you have been within six feet from an covid-19 infected person.

The Aarogya Setu app supports 11 languages. Once you have downloaded the app from Google Play Store, you need to register with your mobile number. Then the app will has ask you to enter your health stats and other details. To enable tracking, you will have to keep your GPS/location and Bluetooth services on.

Once you are into the app, the app will scan your location and share the your data with the government in case you’ve been tested positive for coronavirus or have been in close contact with a person who was tested positive.

For those who are unwell and are worried about being infected with the novel coronavirus, the app also has a dedicated a chatbot. It asks you a series of questions to determine if you have any symptoms of Covid-19. It also informs you about the facilities and updates from the health ministry along with important helpline numbers that are active state-wise and nationally.

With this app, the government aims to make people more aware about the spread of the Covid-19 cases in India, by informing the citizens with relevant information. Currently, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in India have crossed the 2,000 mark, while the death toll has gone over 50.