MEXICO CITY, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have created a digital application to track the spread of COVID-19 in the country in real time.
According to a statement released by UNAM on Thursday, the app, which can be used on a mobile phone or computer, provides alerts about the degree of contagion in certain areas.
"The application draws up a map of contagion risk areas in real time, which can help mitigate the effects of the pandemic and restrict its spread," explained the head of the Space Instrumentation Laboratory (LINX) at UNAM's Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Gustavo Medina Tanco.
The app, developed at LINX, works by employing a brief questionnaire that examines user symptoms and risk factors, such as pre-existing conditions. With this information, the app evaluates the possibility of a COVID-19 infection.
In addition, the app can provide information on when it is advisable to seek medical attention.
The data entered into and used by the application, called #juntosvenceremoscovid19 ("together we will defeat COVID-19"), is confidential and anonymous.
"This will help to understand how various symptoms correlate with the disease, infer how the virus is spreading throughout the country in real time, and visualize which areas are the most sensitive and at risk, and therefore need special attention," the university said in the statement.
Gustavo Medina Tanco has called on Mexican people to download the app and use it frequently so that the map can be updated.
"The more people use it, the more useful and powerful it becomes," said the researcher.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mexico reached 27,634 by Wednesday night, with 2,704 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. Enditem
