Un study from Google and epidemiology researchers from the University of Oxford has found that tracking digital positives using a smartphone network could help stop the spread of the new coronavirus, even if a relatively small number of people download the app.
In late May, Google and Apple introduced a software development kit that would allow smartphones to ping each other. via Bluetooth and log which devices are within a certain physical range (very similar to covid radar in Spain). If the user of one of those phones tests positive for COVID-19, others could be alerted to a potential exposure and self-isolate or ask to be tested if possible.
Covid Radar works, even if it is used by a small number
The study, which has been published on medRxiv, and has not yet been peer-reviewed, focused on Washington, Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett. The researchers projected that the more people used the exposure notification system, the greater the reduction in coronavirus transmissions.
«We have been exploring different levels of digital contact tracing uptake for some time in the UKsaid co-lead author Christophe Fraser. «We see that all levels of exposure reporting uptake in the UK and US have the potential to significantly reduce the number of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the entire populationFraser said. «For example, we estimate that in Washington state, a well-staffed manual contact tracing workforce combined with 15% adoption of an exposure notification system could reduce infections by 15% and deaths by a eleven%«.
The researchers combined real-world data with an epidemiological model, while taking into account the patterns people adopt when moving between their home, workplace, school and other social gatherings.
“The analyzes show that the simultaneous or independent implementation of manual and digital tracking can help control the epidemic, and should help local authorities to meet the defined key incidence metrics.commented Matthew Abueg of Google Research, who also served as a co-author.
The study also explored the possibility of cross-border collaboration and the interoperability of contact tracing programs.