How To Detect Whether You Have Coronavirus Infection Using Your Phone

Coronavirus continues its unabated ravage, claiming dozens of British lives in the process. As of posting, 335 people in the UK have already died because of COVID-19 infection.

In light of this disturbing development, Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued a stern warning saying tougher measures will be imposed if the general public keeps on ignoring social distancing advisories. Another critical measure is to self-isolate for seven days as soon as you identify even the mildest symptoms.

Technology To The Rescue

While the government and many public health bodies have been constantly reiterating about coronavirus symptoms, there are still some in the UK who are stumbling in the dark. Many of them are not sure what to watch out for and if they do identify such, what to do about it.

Today, tech gurus reveal that you can use your smartphone to serve as a guide through this period of uncertainty. Giant smartphone companies Huawei and Apple have each come out with their own innovative solutions.

The Answer Lies In The Cloud

Huawei has developed a smart tool, in partnership with Huazhong University of Science & Technology and Lanwon Technology, which will help doctors identify cases a bit easier. The AI-infused diagnostics services can automatically evaluate structure and functions of the lung. This is a big help amid the shortage of specialists who are qualified to conduct such analysis.

According to Huawei, their AI + doctor review is many times quicker compared to doing the quantitative image evaluation manually. This can help in improving the efficiency of diagnosis. The company also said that the tool can also distinguish with greater accuracy differences between early, advanced, and severe stages of the ailment. This allows doctors to “cut through the noise”. For those with confirmed infections, the application can assist doctors in monitoring the condition of the patient and the efficacy of treatments.

A Virtual Medical Adviser

In the case of Apple, the company has updated its iPhone voice assistant, Siri, to help users check their symptoms if they suspect they may be infected with COVID-19. At the touch of a button, Siri can help answer a generic question such as if you have the coronavirus. The application will then ask you a series of questions to help you find the answer. It can help you identify whether or not you have coronavirus and what steps should you perform.

The questions have been framed using data from the US Public Health Service in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC. The questions that will be asked of you are very basic. These include whether or not you are suffering from a dry cough or if you have come into contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19.