CoronaFighter App brings immediate aid

The fight against the coronavirus recently went digital with the launch of the CoronaFighter App which allows South Africans to track their symptoms daily through real-time technology.

The app was created by Dr Rick Diesel and Dr Jarred van Zuydam.

The talented duo, supported by a team of more than 35 volunteer software engineers and marketers, were able to develop the app in a record seven days.

According to Diesel’s mother Sharon Castle, a life coach who lives in Salt Rock, Rick and Jarred both attended Parktown Boys High where they became firm friends.

“They remained friends and both went on to study medicine at Wits University. While Rick specialised as an anaesthetist and Jarred qualified as a sports physician, their mutual passion for sport resulted in them starting their own company together last year.”

The app allows users to track their symptoms through a simplified, automated self-monitoring process and collects data to provide medical authorities with reactive feedback on where Covid-19 hotspots are.

“Only once we know who is at risk for infection can we help them gain access to treatment, protect their families and protect our workforce from further infection,” said Van Zuydam, a team doctor on the CoronaFighter initiative.

The app provides crucial data so that medical resources can be used in the most efficient way possible.

The easy-to-follow test gives South Africans an accessible way to compare their current health profile to the latest National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID) guidelines.

Diesel said that CoronaFighter allowed everyone to screen from home and not overburden the testing stations.

“During this uncertain time, its easy to feel powerless in the fight against the pandemic. Now more than ever, many of us are looking for a way to educate ourselves with accurate information and most importantly monitor our health. The app will help people track their symptoms through a simple, self-monitoring process.

“Due to Covid-19’s tendency to present symptoms slowly but be passed along so easily, its important for everyone to self-monitor as early as possible as the health status and symptoms of patients with the virus change over time and pre-testing will ensure there are fewer false negative tests.”

According to the doctors, by gathering updated information on a daily basis, health officials will also identify patterns in symptom development that could lead to early diagnosis and limit further spread.

“The CoronaFighter reminds us all that we are in fact empowered in the fight against the virus and together we can make a difference,” said Diesel and Van Zuydam.

To screen yourself for Covid-19 simply sign-up on www.testforcovid.co.za with your email, phone number or Google Account.

You supply CoronaFighter a brief medical and travel history and the app will be able to tell you what the latest NICD guidelines suggest you do next.

The service and app is free.

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