Table 1 Worldwide implementation of digital health technology for COVID-19 contact tracing
From: Digital technology applications for contact tracing: the new promise for COVID-19 and beyond?
Country | Description | Technology Feature | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
Austria | Stopp Corona app. Available by voluntary download for Apple iOS and Android software devices. | Bluetooth, and API to notify users of potential exposure. | Stopp Corona: Austrian Red Cross. https://participate.roteskreuz.at/stopp-corona/ (2020) Accessed 22 June 2020. |
Australia | COVIDSafe app. Available on Apple iOS and Android devices. | Bluetooth technology that notes the date, time, distance and duration of contact with other users. Users are notified of potential exposure. | Australian Government, Department of Health: COVIDSafe App. https://www.health.gov.au/(2020). Accessed 22 June 2020. |
China | Close contact detector app. Provides users with unique QR codes. | Interfaces with other widely-used apps such as WeChat, Alipay and QQ. | XinhuaNet: China introduces novel coronavirus close contact detection app. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-02/10/c_138770415.htm (2020). Accessed 8 May 2020. |
Germany | Corona-Warn app. Voluntary download; available on Apple iOS and Android software devices. | Bluetooth API technology to scan identification codes on nearby phones. Notification to user upon exposure to proximal code. | Corona-Warn-App Open Source Project. https://www.coronawarn.app/en/ (2020) Accessed 22 June 2020. |
Ghana | GH Covid-19 Tracker app. Available by voluntary download for Apple iOS and Android software devices. | Bluetooth and GPS technology, geographically enabled features, which provides detailed information on event, location after potential exposure. | Ministry of Communications, Ghana: Launch of GH COVID-19 tracker app.https://www.moc.gov.gh/launch-gh-covid-19-tracker-app(2020) Accesed 26 April 2020. |
Singapore | TraceTogether app. Widely received among citizenry (70% support). | Operates under Bluetooth technology. | Government of Singapore:TraceTogether Singapore. https://www.tracetogether.gov.sg/ (2020). Accessed 26 April 2020. |
Switzerland | SwissCovid app. Available from 25 June 2020 for Apple iOS and Android software devices. Voluntary download. | Bluetooth technology recording previous users in close contact. Cantonal authorities notify other users of exposure. | Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH): New coronavirus: SwissCovid app and contact tracing. https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/ (2020). Accessed 22 June 2020. |