Nepal, March 30, 2020
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has partnered with two technology leaders to develop a Coronavirus self-checker. Yes, we are talking about Microsoft and Apple. These tools help people who are feeling sick and are unsure to determine whether they should seek treatment.
The importance of tools during such a global pandemic is crucial, especially, when a country is in lockdown.
However, let’s be clear that these tools don’t actually diagnose or treat the coronavirus (or other diseases). They help you determine whether you need to seek treatment urgently or follow other preventive measures.
We have already talked about the importance of technology to combat coronavirus in our previous article.
Microsoft’s Coronavirus Self-Checker
CDC’s partnership with Microsoft has resulted in the innovation of a chat tool or chatbot. The chatbot is built on Microsoft’s AI-powered healthcare bot service.
How it works is that it asks a series of questions about a person’s age, location, symptoms they might be experiencing. Finally, the tool offers advice on whether or not they need urgent medical attention.
Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, mentioned it in a letter he sent to all his employees on March 22.
He wrote, “The CDC itself has released an assessment tool built on our healthcare bot service that can quickly assess the symptoms and risk factors for people concerned about infection. Using AI, the bot suggests the next course of action, such as contacting a provider or, for those who do not need in-person medical care, managing the illness safely at home.”
He went on thanking his colleagues and his team in the letter. Moreover, he explained what Microsoft is doing to combat COVID-19 together.
However, it is important to note that this tool only works for users in the US.
“If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice,” the CDC’s site advises.
Most cases are mild, but about 20% of patients can experience severe cases where they become critically ill. Older age groups are at a high risk of the disease, while, research has shown that some children have become sick as well.
The CDC and healthcare professionals have clear advice for you if you think you have been exposed to coronavirus. Make a phone call before you go to the hospital.
If you don’t, it might just expose more people to the virus.
Apple’s Screening Tool For Checking Coronavirus
On March 27 (Friday), Apple released a website and an iOS app that enables users to self-test for coronavirus symptoms. It is an amazing response from the tech giant during the time of a global pandemic.
Apple developed both of these tools in partnership with the CDC, as well as the White House’s Coronavirus Task Force and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The website and app work by presenting a questionnaire and information regarding the novel coronavirus.
However, Apple has said that the tools will not collect or store the user’s answers to the series of questions.
In fact, the screening tools do not even require an Apple account for use.
Image: Apple’s screening test website
As a tech giant and influencer, Apple has been active during the pandemic to help people get on the safe side. Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, announced that the company will be donating 10m face masks across Europe and the US.
Cook tweeted:
“Our ops teams are helping to find and purchase masks from our supply chain in coordination with governments around the world.“
Final Thought
As the virus continues to spread across the globe, the entire world’s healthcare systems are up for the test. Nepal is still in lockdown on an effort to “flatten the curve” – or slow down the spread of the virus.
Do you think Nepal has the capacity to deal with a major outbreak?
Are the hospital-bed capacity and isolation wards enough to deal with new coronavirus cases in Nepal?