A team from Ulster University has developed and app to help people check if they have COVID-19 symptoms, read antibody tests, and help aid contact tracing.
Every country is currently putting together contact-tracing and symptom-reporting apps to help manage the coronavirus outbreak as they ease restrictions and lift lockdowns. The UK and Ireland have disagreed on a common approach for this, with Ireland opting to use decentralised third-party apps made in conjunction with Google and Apple, and the UK creating its own app with centralised data collection.
Researchers at Ulster University have now developed their own app that will help people check symptoms, perform diagnostics at home, and access advice. The app will also collect information from users to aid in contact-tracing, and will also be able to read the results of an at-home antibody test to give users clear answers. The app can be downloaded currently for open development purposes.
The Connected Health Innovation Centre Team project team led by Professors Jim McLaughlin and Chris Nugent were able to develop the new app quickly as it builds on their 2017 Xprize Tricorder project back in 2017. The new app has been presented to local, national and international government bodies and may be used as part of Ulster University's COVID-19 clinical trials.
Professor Jim McLaughlin, Head of School of Engineering at Ulster University commented: "At Ulster University we are using our world-leading expertise in data analytics, diagnostics and software development to develop solutions to help in the global fight against COVID-19.Building our XPrize Tricorder platform, this app can inform both the public and policy makers. It can help users to monitor their symptoms and seek medical advice when necessary and itprovides key data that policymakers can use to inform strategy."
Source: Written based on press release
