MOBILE APP DEVELOPED BY RISE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID19 Using the Safepaths technology, developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — MIT, COVTRACER (ΙΧΝΗΛΑΤΗΣ) is able to use GPS information to trace a person’s movements during the course of a day. Society Security Health © Research Centre on Interactive media, Smart systems and Emerging Technologies - RISE Ltd Concerned with the current situation created by the coronavirus pandemic and responding to the call by the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy to employ digital technologies to find quick and innovative ways to fight the COVID19 pandemic on the island (Cyprus), the teams at the Center of Excellence in Research and Innovation RISE -Research Center on Interactive Media, Smart Systems and Emerging Technologies- have been working hard to find ways to bring the power of technology to the service of society. COVTRACER has thus been developed, a mobile device application helping to put the spread of the virus under control: One of the most important steps in the fight against the virus is the rapid identification of people who have come into recent contact with confirmed cases of the virus. The COVTRACER application does just that. Using the “Safepaths” technology, developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), COVTRACER can use GPS information to trace a person’s movements during a fortnight. This information can then be used to identify the places visited by a confirmed carrier within this period so that timely, if not immediate, action (evacuation, and disinfection) can be taken. In addition, COVTRACER can assist in locating those who are close to or have come in proximity to a carrier so that they too can be appropriately tested or treated. Privacy An important point about privacy concerns is that the data collected by the application remains stored only on the user’s device and only they can share it if they desire and with whomever they desire. Beyond the pandemic COVTRACER will continue to be relevant after the lockdown featuring additional features to assist the workflow of mainly first line workers (healthcare professionals, police etc.) but to also act as an emergency engine for route tracing to be deployed in all future pandemic emergencies. For more information, please visit: https://covid-19.rise.org.cy/en/ Keywords COVTracer, coronavirus, COVID-19, RISE, GPS Tracking, health
