Coronavirus Outbreak: These Apps & Online Platforms Can Help You Stay Updated About Covid-19

With the rising number of COVID-19 cases in India, it has become important to stay updated about the disease and precautionary methods provided by medical experts.

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New Delhi: With the rising number of COVID-19 cases in India, it has become important to stay updated about the disease and precautionary methods provided by medical experts. There are number of apps and digital platforms that have made it easier for one to stay updated and get all the information regarding the spread of the virus. Have a look! Arogya Setu App: Launched by the Ministry of Electronics and IT, this app was created to help connect the people of India with essential health services. To use the application, you need to register using your mobile number. It also needs Bluetooth and location access to function. In case you are concerned about privacy, the government has assured that the data is encrypted and will not be shared. The app is available in 11 Indian languages in Play Store on Android and Apple Store on iOS. The app also lets you take a quick test to check if you have symptoms that are known and match with COVID-19. Similar apps are being used in Singapore for helping people track Coronavirus cases and provide a faster response by the authorities. Ireland also recently announced the launch of a mobile app and Germany plans to do so soon. For Local updates Cornakavach: The app tracks the data of the user every hour to alert them whether they have crossed paths with any person who tested positive for coronavirus. The app uses geographical location is mapped through GPS to assess whether the user is at a high-risk geographical zone or not. Many data experts believe that this could help in a country like India as they are so many mobile phone users. The app is only available on Android devices and can be downloaded from the Play Store. Mcovid-19: The Mizoram government has also launched a comprehensive mobile app containing various information and updates on COVID-19. The application can be downloaded from mcovid19.mizoram.gov.in. mCOVID-19 android app is developed in such a way that it will suit the local requirement. Apart from local updates, the application contains national and world-wide updates on the dangerous virus in the Mizo language. Mcovid-19 contains latest updates about Coronavirus from Mizoram, India & around the World while also providing columns and videos from authentic sources. Cova Punjab: The Punjab authorities have come up with the app to keep people update about the COVID-19 disease at the same time provide help during the lockdown. The app provides solutions to help citizens access authentic information, report gatherings, access medical advice from doctors. The app also delivers essentials like groceries and medicines. Although, the delivery system has shown issues. MahaKavach: Maharashtra has been the worst hit with Coronavirus so far and the government is making efforts relentlessly to curb the spread in the app Mahakavach has both contact tracing and quarantine tracking. The app asks for permission to access your location. It is developed by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society. Test Yourself Goa:  Developed by Goa’s ministry of health in collaboration with Innovaccer, Test Yourself Goa app's official description is to test yourself wherein users can self-diagnose coronavirus symptoms. The app doesn't provide medical advice. A survey has six basic questions that need quick answers like 'yes' or 'no'. From travel, history to present symptoms which then tells the user whether or not they have Coronavirus symptoms. The app is available on the Google Play store. Online self-assessment - Maharashtra government also launched an online self-assessment tool that will allow users to gauge if they have been infected by the virus. It is available at https://covid-19.maharashtra.gov.in/.  and will help people assess their symptoms at home. Immediate medical advice and other relevant contact information are also available on this link. The online self-assessment tool allows the authorities to have a real-time dashboard and helps them keep track of people with strong coronavirus symptoms who have used the tool, keeping track of people will help control the spread of COVID-19. Apart from this, the platform also has dos and don'ts, helpline numbers and other information about the pandemic. The Apollo chain of hospitals has come out with an online self-assessment test that can help people perform a preliminary test at home for COVID-19. The test is available on Apollo’s website and the results can determine whether the risk of contracting the infection is low, medium or high. The test is based on the guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Home and Family Welfare (MHFW), Government of India.