University of Missouri uses app to monitor COVID-19 symptoms on campus

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The University of Missouri is working to alleviate the spread of COVID-19 by using a new app called CampusClear.

According to its website, MU is using this app to try to keep the campus COVID-19 numbers down in order for students to continue in-person learning.

CampusClear is a tool for students, faculty and staff to monitor their symptoms and report them to the university. The app requires daily check-ins to see if students or staff are feeling signs of COVID-19.

MU spokesman Christian Basi said this is a way for students to stay aware of symptoms that might not usually spark concern for COVID-19.

"Some people may not realize some of these symptoms may be related to COVID," he said. "There are a couple of symptoms that have not been talked about widely."

The university posted what will be the first of planned weekly reports of the numbers of students infected with the novel coronavirus who are on campus. In its first posting, MU said 168 cases have been identified since students started moving in this month. Of those, 159 are active.

MU requires use of the app but it's based on an honor system.

"This is a situation of personal responsibility, we can only enforce and require so much," Basi said. "It takes everybody, if we want our community to move forward, not just MU, we all have to work together."

The university has also made class sizes smaller to allow social distancing and requires masks in classrooms and anywhere distancing is not possible under its Show Me Renewal plan.

The app does not collect any personal data, only health information that is critical to the university.

Basi said the use of this tool could evolve over the course of the semester depending on how the pandemic plays out.

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