JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – An app originally created to track North Dakota State University football fans traveling for the national championship has been turned into a way to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

The mobile app “Bison Tracker” was created by Tim Brookins, but has now been modified to help retrace the steps of people who test positive for COVID-19. Last week, Governor Doug Burgum began encouraging everyone to download the app, which is currently only available for iPhone users. An android version is expected to be released soon.

Central Valley Health Unit Administrator Robin Iszler says the app runs in the background and is confidential.

Individuals are then encouraged to categorize their movement into different groups such as work or grocery. The app will only store the location of any place a person visits for 10 minutes or more, and the ID number of each individual contains no personal information besides location data.

Today, nearly 14,000 people have downloaded the app.

Iszler also encouraged residents to begin wearing masks under new CDC recommendations.

Iszler says when it comes to gloves, it’s important to remember that washing hands works just as well or better.

Residents are reminded to continue social distancing, washing hands, and staying home when you’re sick.

If you have questions regarding COVID-19, you can contact the North Dakota Department of Health hotline at 1-866-207-2880.