THE Philippine science and technology department on Monday unveiled its TanodCOVID program, an SMS reporting platform that will enable individuals to report symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) they experience to their local government units.
In a statement, DOST said TanodCOVID will enable LGUs to establish a database of individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, through crowdsourced information.
To use the platform, locals will send text messages free of charge to their respective LGUs verified mobile number to report any symptoms they are experiencing. Officials will then call concerned individuals to verify the reports and ask for additional information.
Meanwhile, TanodCOVID will assist the local officials and the Department of Health (DOH) in contact tracing of possible and suspected COVID-19 cases, and decide on areas where mass testing must be administered.
“LGUs can help even more through the use of TanodCOVID. This can build a knowledge base about your locality so that prevention, management, and treatment on COVID-19 can be improved,” said PCHRD executive director Dr. Jaime Montoya.
TanodCOVID was developed by the Ateneo Center for Computing Competency and Research (ACCCRe) of the Ateneo de Manila University in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Manila – National Telehealth Center (UP-NTHC).
It was also developed by the Department of Health-Epidemiology Bureau and funded by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD).
“The rapid development of research and technologies has been at the top of DOST’s priorities to fight this pandemic,” said DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara.(GMA News)
