The Government of India has launched a new app that alerts users if they have come in close contact with any COVID-19 positive patient and how much is their risk of getting infected. Dubbed as Aarogya Setu, the app is developed in a public-private partnership. The app tracks through Bluetooth and location generated data.
In order to use the app, you need to give it permission for Bluetooth, location, and data sharing. The government says that the personal data collected by the app is encrypted and stays secure on your phone until it is needed for medical intervention.
The app is available in 11 Indian languages.
Aarogya Setu App Features
Once you setup the app, it offers the following features-
Your risk of coronavirus infection in which after asking a few questions it will show you that your infection risk is low, medium or high. It also has a self-assessment test that will ask you questions and show you the results.
Moreover, it has COVID-19 help centers, and more information like learn more about COVID-19, Do's and Don'ts, and safety measures against COVID-19.
Apart from the above-mentioned features, it also shows tweets by the ministry of health and family welfare.
How does it work?
The app detects other devices with the Aarogya Setu app installed that come in the proximity of your phone with the help of Bluetooth. The app then calculates the risk of infection based on some self-assessment based parameters if any of these close contacts are tested COVOD-19 positive.
Install #AarogyaSetu app to help Indian govt fight #coronavirus – this app is available both on iOS and android – go install. #IndiaFightsCornona pic.twitter.com/jSA9p6hTac
— abhishekbhatnagar.eth (@abhishek) April 3, 2020
The Government says that this will help to take the necessary and timely steps for assessing the risk of the spread of coronavirus infection and sending the patient to isolation whenever required.
Commenting on the app, the government says, “This app is a unique example of the nation’s young talent coming together and pooling resources and efforts to respond to a global crisis. It is at once a bridge between public and private sectors, digital technology and health services delivery and the potential of young India with a disease-free and healthy future of the nation.”
