Free online tool for coronavirus symptoms check launched
A Bangladeshi healthcare company called Digital Healthcare Solutions has launched a coronavirus symptom check online and is available free of cost.
Anybody can go to the website at https://coronachecker.dh.health/ and submit their basic health information to get an assessment of whether one is at risk of infection or not.
The checker was developed in Bangladesh by Digital Healthcare Solutions (DH), a Grameen social business company, which was previously known as Telenor Health. The company has been offering digital healthcare services for the last four years to its client base of over five million.
"This symptom checker incorporates the latest medical insights from the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in the USA, and DGHS of Bangladesh and enables anyone, sitting at home, to conduct a risk analysis check for themselves and their loved ones in less than a minute," said Dr Khaled Hasan, Head of Clinical Operations at Digital Healthcare Solutions, in a written statement.
Digital Healthcare Solutions explains that the purpose of its symptom checker is to help users make decisions about seeking appropriate medical care, and it is not intended for the full diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19.
The online tool asks a series of questions to establish the level of illness being experienced by the user and directs them with appropriate recommendations as per DGHS and IEDCR guidelines.
Recommendations range from calling the government hotline (16233, 333), staying at home, visiting designated hospitals and so on. A series of health tips and videos are also available -- on how to wash hands effectively, and how to safely quarantine and isolate when required.
"These are extraordinary times for everyone. The more we take control to understand our symptoms, the better we would be able to help our healthcare system look after critically ill patients. Share this as widely as possible to your family and loved ones, and ensure everyone takes the checker" added Dr Khaled.