Rapid deployment of a free, privacy-assured COVID-19 symptom tracker for public safety during reopening: System development and feasibility study (June 2020)

Summary

Since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the number of cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United States has exponentially increased. Identifying and monitoring individuals with COVID-19 and individuals who have been exposed to the disease is critical to prevent transmission.

Traditional contact tracing mechanisms are not structured on the scale needed to address this pandemic. As businesses reopen, institutions and agencies not traditionally engaged in disease prevention are being tasked with ensuring public safety. Systems to support organisations facing these new challenges are critically needed. Most currently available symptom trackers use a direct-to-consumer approach and use personal identifiers, which raises privacy concerns.

Kassaye et al. developed a monitoring and reporting system for COVID-19 to support institutions conducting monitoring activities without compromising privacy.