WORLD'S 'AAROGYA SETU' : WHO TO LAUNCH CORONA VIRUS APP TO ASSESS INDIVIDUAL'S COVID-19 STATUS & CONTACT TRACING!

The World Health Organization (WHO) is all set to launch an app this month for users to self-assess for coronavirus symptoms. This app will enable people in under-resourced countries to see whether they have the virus or not. WHO are considering a bluetooth-based contact tracing feature too.

As per a Reuters report, the WHO is ready to launch the coronavirus app and is mostly targeting “under-resourced countries”. This app will ask people about their symptoms and offer guidance on whether they may have COVID-19 or not.

Bernardo Mariano, chief information officer for the WHO said that WHO will release a version on app stores globally, where government will be able to take the app’s underlying technology, add features and release its own version on app stores.

So far, India, Australia and the United Kingdom have released official virus apps using their own technology. “The value is really for countries that do not have anything. We would be leaving behind the ones that are not able to (provide an app), that have fragile health systems," Mariano said.  

Engineers and designers have been volunteering for weeks to develop the new app. The WHO also plans to release guidance by next week on issues countries should consider with the rise in cases and introducing of apps. 

WHO expects that this app will attract attention to other countries, including some in South America and Africa where coronavirus cases are rising.