Analysis of COVID-19 Consumer Health Informatics Resources: A Report

This report examines consumer health informatics (CHI) resources in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyzes two key resources: the CDC website and the Corona 100m mobile app, focusing on their consumer participation, CHI trends, personalization, and health information searching capa...Read More

CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATICS
COVID-19
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CONSUMER HEALTH INFORMATICS
Abstract
The World Health Organization is responding to the pandemic issue that has threatened
the world. The aspect of coronavirus is now becoming havoc to the globe. The respiratory
disorder emanated from china last year. According to the WHO reports the virus is known as the
SARS-CoV-2 while the disease is known as the coronavirus 2019. In January the disease was
declared as an international threat and up to now, many cases have been reported globally.
Coronavirus is a collection of viruses that affect both people and other mammals such as
animals. Camels, bats, and cattle are some of the animals prone to the virus. The disease started
in China in Wuhan city. The presence of all these elements provided a room for the spread of the
virus. Later on, cases of person-to-person spread were reported outside China. Countries such as
the USA, Italy, France and also Africa as a continent have reported COVID-19 cases. The write-
up analyses one online resource and mobile app that have publicized the issue of COVID-19.
1. Online resource
Retrieved from;
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases updates/summary.html?
CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov
%2Fsummary.html
1. Introduction
COVID -19 is a threat to the entire world. The idea is that this respiratory disease is now
spreading at higher rates since January 2020. COVID-19 is a beta coronavirus but is more

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contagious as compared to other viruses such as the MERS-CoV. The SARS-CoV-2 virus that
leads to the COVID-19 originates from bat according to the article. The first cases of these
viruses were identified from China and later on nations such as the USA started experiencing the
same signs. Deaths of many people have been confirmed in China. Besides, the sources outline
some of the appropriate information related to the COVID- 19 as discussed in the subsequent
section of the write-up.
2.0 Justification on the choice of the online resource
The online resources have outlined important elements that are relevant to the subject
matter. First of all, the resource outlines the spread and source of COVID-19 in the world. It has
outlined a chronological concept that reveals how the virus started and where it came from.
Wahun city in China is marked as the pioneer of these threatening contagious viruses in the
world [1].
Table 1; Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in China.
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200303-sitrep-
43-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=2c21c09c_2

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On the other hand, the online resource outlines the severity of the COVID-19. According
to the source, the clinical image and originality of the virus are not known at all. Most of the
cases that have been reported tend to be mild while others are serious. The idea is that there are
few cases of death that have been reported as compared to the cases of those people who have
the virus. The 16% of the cases reported are the ones that have led to deaths with the remaining
portion surviving and fighting the viruses when infected. The older people and also individuals
with infections such as; heart diseases, diabetes and lung illnesses are at high risk of the COVID-
19 [1].

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3. Discussion and comments on the online resource
The source has done a good job by analyzing how the virus is a pandemic issue in the
whole world. The term pandemic outlines an international outbreak of a certain illness. For this
cases COVID -19 according to the source is pandemic [1]. The idea is that the article has
indicated how the COVID-19 is in a position to spread to millions of people if not keenly
controlled and monitored. Cases have been reported almost everywhere and that is why WHO
declared COVID-19 as pandemic without wastage of time. COVID-19 has been announced as
one of the fatal viruses to have ever occurred in the world.
The article has complied to the consumer health informatics in various ways. Also, the
source indicates some of the appropriate procedures that can be used by the public to deter the
spread of this fatal illness. WHO has tried to support how prevention is appropriate in the globe.
First of all, one is supposed to wash his or her hands frequently [2]. The best method for washing
as indicated by WHO is to use plenty of water, soap and also the use of disinfectants such as
alcohol. Through this, it will be easy to kill a virus that may survive in hands. Besides, the source
argues on the ability to maintain social distances all the time. One has to be 1 to 3 meters away
from someone who indicates signs and symptoms of the virus.
Fig 1. Avoiding close conduct.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

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Moreover, the source has analyzed how one should avoid touching the nose, eyes, and
mouth. The idea is that hands may touch many surfaces that may be contaminated by the
COVID-19 viruses [2]. Also, we all have to practice proper respiratory hygiene all the time. The
issue is that we have to cough while covering our mouth and nose all the time. According to the
WHO, the cover will help in disposing of the viruses immediately thus preventing higher rates of
spreading.
Fig 2. Washing hands to prevent COVID-19.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

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Lastly, the source has outlined some of the signs and symptoms that may be attributed to
COVID-19 [2]. We have indications such as cough, breathing challenges and also fever. It is
advisable that if one feels one of these elements, he or she must visit medical assistance as soon
as possible.
2. The corona 100m app
Retrieved from;
https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/news/news/south-korea-to-step-up-online-coronavirus-
tracking-5109
Introduction
Corona 100m is a mobile app created in south Korea and launched on February 11
2020.this is a self-protection app that used uses government processed information to inform
users when they are within one hundred meters of an area that was formally visited by a person
infected with coronavirus. The mobile app allows users to timely avoid possible dangerous areas
without inquiring on travel histories of the confirmed coved 19 patients [3] It also tends to acts
like a search site for the travel histories about the confirmed patients.
South Korea is one of the world's most well-informed nations. So, when the dangerous
novel coronavirus flare-up arrived at the Korean promontory, application designers there knew
precisely how to respond: They began coding. Versatile applications that help track the ailment
in South Korea positioned as six of the main 15 downloads on the nation's Google Play
application store on Thursday. Engineers of some applications — which source their information
from open government data — disclosed to CNN Business that they have been getting a flood in
downloads since propelling their items prior this month. Governments and residents are utilizing

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applications trying to become familiar with the coronavirus episode and forestall it spreading
further. The hurry to get to new data on coronavirus gives little indication of easing back.
Affirmed diseases of COVID-19 presently number in excess of 91,000 individuals all around,
bringing about in excess of 3,000 deaths. Most of these deaths have happened in China, which
has reacted to the episode by expecting individuals to download cell phone programming called
the Aliped Health Code .Structured by the Chinese innovation mammoth Alipay, the wellbeing
rating application mechanizes choices on whether people should isolate themselves or be
permitted to enter open spaces through shading coded QR codes that are examined at exceptional
checkpoints.
Justification of corona 100m app
The application Corona 100m will offer knowledge on safety practices and quarantine
measure for individuals who had COVID-19. The application shows an individual's nationality,
age and sexual orientation, as well. Developers said these applications have gotten a portion of
the post well known through the Google Play application store, as per CNN Business. Bae Won-
Seok, a maker of Corona 100m, disclosed to CNN Business information have arrived at more
than 20,000 every hour [3]. The application has 1 million downloads in three weeks. Corona
Map tracks individuals' area information, as well, as indicated by Business Insider. It was the
second most-downloaded application in Korea. Government wellbeing authorities have
introduced "drive-through" testing focuses where you can be tested within 10 minutes. The
country’s citizens (South Korea) are using this app to keep themselves safe from the COVI-19
outbreak as users can see how close they are to a confirmed COVI-19 case. This information is
derived from the government data in the country. The new public government public data show
where the patient was confirmed for the disease, the demographic data and their location history.

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This app also shows a person’s nationality, age and gender [4]. It helps the users to communicate
with the doctors about their signs this prevents the citizens from overcrowding in the medical
centers and can get advice from its registered doctors with ease.
Discussion and comments about corona 100m
This app is being used to get information about the centers for control of the disease to
show the exact, nationality, gender and the history about their previous visits. Bae won-Seok the
developer of this app has confirmed the rapid growth of this app. There are almost twenty
thousand downloads in every hour which sometimes is causing crash in its servers due to too
many downloads [5] The corona 100m app is facing some resistant from some developers with
the claim that the information in the app is not submitted by a recognized institution.
The app permits "different information" about affirmed COVID-19 patients to be
promptly examined and given to wellbeing agents. It depends on the 'shrewd city information
center program' as of now being worked on by the government and the metropolitan
administration.
Opening cover information
The administration is additionally opening up information on the accessibility of
defensive veils in the midst of an across the country deficiency and long lines. Information on
defensive covers sold through open channels is by and large mutually gave by the Ministry of the
Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and little and medium organizations
through an open API. Around 10 designers are comprehended to have utilized the information so
far to dispatch applications [6].

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The Ministry of Science and ICT noticed the significance of open private participation,
for example, this to deal with the circumstance. There could be a test, however, as Apple and
Google are taking measures to forestall the spread of coronavirus deception by means of
applications, reports state [7] This could incorporate dismissing coronavirus-related applications
which are not put together by governments or health specialist.
App Search
In the meantime, the Corona map site shows the movement accounts of affirmed COVID-
19 patients and Corona plans to work "like a web crawler" for data on coronavirus-hit regions.
The app developers are working very hard to ensure that no false, dangerous, or even worse
about the virus. They are facing important internal and external pressure to stop the app either
temporarily or permanently [8]. This app cannot be accessed by some of the population
especially in low developed and developing countries due to low network coverage or no
coverage at all this makes it not effective in some regions.
4. Conclusion.
COVID-19 is a contagious disease. The world is now in unrest condition since the illness
has caused deaths and it is now spreading at higher rates. The virus is now in more than 100
nations in the world with China marking the largest percentage. COVID-19 is a threat to the
globe and that is why the WHO has raised a red flag. The whole idea is that everyone has to
focus on the suitable procedures that will guide in preventing the illness. WHO has outlined
specific preventive strategies that can help to prevent the rapid spread of the disorder in the
world. It is the responsibility of every person to ensure they adhere to these preventive measures
outlined by the resource and the WHO in general.

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References
[1] Ai, T., Yang, Z., Hou, H., Zhan, C., Chen, C., Lv, W., ... & Xia, L. (2020). Correlation of
chest CT and RT-PCR testing in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China: A
report of 1014 cases. Radiology, 200642.
[2] Boulos, M. N. K., & Geraghty, E. M. (2020). Geographical tracking and mapping of
coronavirus disease COVID-19/severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-
CoV-2) epidemic and associated events around the world: how 21st century GIS
technologies are supporting the global fight against outbreaks and epidemics.
[3] Millán-Oñate, J., Rodriguez-Morales, A. J., Camacho-Moreno, G., Mendoza-Ramírez, H.,
Rodríguez-Sabogal, I. A., & Álvarez-Moreno, C. (2020). A new emerging zoonotic virus
of concern: the 2019 novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Infectio, 24(3).
[4] Novel, C. P. E. R. E. (2020). The epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of 2019
novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in China. Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi=
Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi, 41(2), 145.
[5] Pan, F., Ye, T., Sun, P., Gui, S., Liang, B., Li, L., ... & Zheng, C. (2020). Time course of lung
changes on chest CT during recovery from 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
pneumonia. Radiology, 200370.
[6] Velavan, T. P., & Meyer, C. G. (2020). The COVID‐19 epidemic. Tropical Medicine &
International Health.

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[7] World Health Organization. (2020). Laboratory biosafety guidance related to coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19): interim guidance, 12 February 2020 (No.
WHO/WPE/GIH/2020.1). World Health Organization.
[8] Wu, Z., & McGoogan, J. M. (2020). Characteristics of and important lessons from the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China: summary of a report of 72 314
cases from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Jama.