During recent pandemic digital technologies are being harnessed to support the public-health response to COVID-19 worldwide, including population surveillance, case identification, contact tracing and evaluation of interventions on the basis of mobility data and communication with the public. To tackle the same, digital tools like Aarogya Setu are being deployed to perform tasks like contact tracing, hotspot recognition. Let’s discuss how digital technology help us to combat a Pandemic?
In order to reduce false information, companies like Google, Facebook, and YouTube are working tirelessly to guide people to the right, verifiable information such as that published by WHO or local authorities and government. By making accurate information available to everybody, a transparent scenario can be created and the people can be informed about the right steps to take.
The world is now desperate to find ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus and to find an effective treatment. Technology is becoming an enabler to make the process faster. AI is playing important role in suggesting components of a vaccine by understanding viral protein structures, and helping medical researchers scour tens of heaps of relevant research papers at an unprecedented pace. AI also Can Help Scientists Find a Covid-19 Vaccine
During a pandemic, clear messaging to the populace is critical to make sure they are informed and reminded to use appropriate precautions. Several groups are using the trending technologies like mobile, AI, ML and more, to provide visibility on the outbreak.
Facial recognition technologies along with data can accurately identify people even if they are masked. Such technologies can help in monitoring movement and tracking of people who are quarantined. It can also help in keeping a tab on people and ascertaining whether or not they have been in contact with an infected person.
AI-based data analytics and predictive modelling are enabling medical professionals to understand more about a lot of diseases. With the use of AI, more accurate forecasting about disease spread, medication, treatment, etc., could be done. Using AI platforms, it has become easier for researchers to quickly find relevant studies that can potentially lead to new insights or approaches to address the COVID-19 outbreak.
Robots can be used for delivering grocery, cooking means, sterilizing hospitals and patrolling the streets. Drones can be used for food deliveries, tracking population, carrying test kits and medicines to quarantine locations, thermal imaging to identify infected people, spraying disinfectant, and more. Many new areas and use cases are coming up where drones, robots and autonomous vehicles are being used.
The wireless thermometer guns and other similar infrared body temperature measuring devices have become the most important medical equipment that are being used at checkpoints of offices, airports, hotels, hospitals, train stations, shops, and other public places.
As pandemics or other calamities keep threatening the business world, working from home ensures business continuity as well as facilitates social distancing. In such a scenario, technologies that enable secure access to data, enterprise applications, virtual meetings, cloud conferencing, and virtual/mixed/augmented reality are the forefront leaders to ensure deliverables are not impacted.