TITLE:
EPIDEM: A Technology-Enabled COVID-19 Elimination Strategy
AUTHORS:
Goetz Robert Uwe Grosche, Sanam Shah, Anna Katrina Javier Bolivar
KEYWORDS:
Coronavirus Disease 2019, COVID-19, Pandemic, Outbreak, Contact Tracing, Technology, Application
JOURNAL NAME:
E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks,
Vol.9 No.4,
December
15,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has
rapidly evolved into a global emergency with far-reaching consequences.
Multiple models predict mounting morbidity and mortality in the absence of
appropriate interventions. Screening of sub-clinical cases through technological
tools has the potential to eliminate virus containment in the population. Objective: Our aim was to develop an effective application that detected early
COVID-19 infections and resulted in four-dimensional
(4-D) data visualization systems to develop safe networks whilst respecting
user privacy. Methods: We proposed an algorithm for a novel form of contact tracing and
screening that can detect infection before manifestation of clinical symptoms
and signs. We developed a simulation model that demonstrated impact on the
pandemic through percent change in the “trigger
point”. Results: A “trigger point” based on personal risk assessment generated a visual report to the
community network. The following outcomes were rendered in the app: live
surveillance of metadata, hotspot mapping, targeted live health messaging to a
large population, an infection control passport technology, and personal
hotspot avoidance warnings. Our model suggested that higher adoption of such strategies can
potentially eliminate viral carriage in the population. Conclusions: Our proposed technology-enabled screening, detection, and elimination
strategy presents a novel approach to eliminate the viral containment. This app
could be applied to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other outbreaks and
epidemics in the future to control the unprecedented disease spread.