Coronavirus: World Health Organization To Launch An Official App On Ios And Android

The World Health Organisation will be launching an official app for iOS and Android that is being designed to fight the spread of fabrication about the coronavirus. 

World Health Organisation, MyHealth app is ready to be launched on Monday the 30^th day of March and is being developed by a team of volunteer experts called the World Health Organisation  Covid App Collective. 

First version will launch on both mobile platforms on Monday and is being developed 'open source' meaning anyone with the skills can help build it as well.

It follows the launch of a WHO chatbot for Facebook owned WhatsApp that lets the users get the latest info on coronavirus.

The app will be able to send users notifications for their location if there is a spike in coronavirus cases or if someone rumors themselves as having this virus.

According to the World Health Organisation  MyHealth Github page, there will also be 'self-triage' tools to assist people diagnose whether their symptoms match coronavirus.

The aim of the app development team is to 'build an Official WHO app for coronavirus on Android, iPhones and the web, which is targeted at the general public. 

"We plan to operate in a self-sufficient manner for reasons of speed and to minimise impositions on precious WHO resources. We also plans to have a web-based version of the app for those without a smartphone to make sure it can stretch to the widest thinkable group."

Some Other features for the first will include locations of nearby testing and treatment centers, local risk areas and public awareness information.

They also want to assist people perform their own triage on symptoms to reduce the load on national health services and offer a heat map of areas affected by coronavirus.

In their application file the team said that:

 'There is an urgent, global need for an official WHO App to help contain and mitigate COVID-19. The app should support the WHO efforts and be available on a worldwide basis, with information tailored to the user’s location, culture and language. The app should also be sensitive to national needs and respect privacy. Once established, the system can be leveraged to proactively detect, respond early and prevent future pandemics.'

The group had to further develop the app to include features that use iPhone and Android location history to 'contact trace'.

The feature would allow WHO to better track the spread of the virus by looking at who has had it and who they have come into contact with. 

The first early version of the app will be for individuals non healthcare providers or public health experts and only available for Android and iOS.

This App is said to be available in English, French, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic and Russian.

WHO MyHealth is an open source app, which means that anyone with the right skills can also contribute to its improvement and the team are also looking for volunteers.

WHO claims that the service provides 'simple, actionable guidance' for various people most affected by the ongoing crisis. This includes health workers, educators, community leaders, nonprofits, local governments and businesses.