With its first diagnosed case in December of 2019, Covid-19 gained momentum as it crossed over into 2020. So far, there have been over 2 million confirmed cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide, as well as an overload of ever-changing information.
With everything going on, it’s important to stay up to date with CDC and WHO guidelines. But how can you stay up to date with so many other sources of questionable information available?
As App Developers, we appreciate a good app when we see one. Here are a few apps that can help you stay up to date during the Covid-19 crisis.
Top Apps To Help You Stay Up to Date With Covid-19
Healthlynked Covid-19 Tracker
Covid-19 Tracker is ideal for reporting and monitoring Covid-19 symptoms. It categorizes users into three groups: asymptomatic and have not been confirmed positive, users who have symptoms, and users who think they have the illness. Each group is represented by a different color and shows up on the app’s map, which has been carefully labeled and laid out for user experience.
When a user self reports as positive, the app sends a notification to their contacts. This helps reduce the spread to others. Users can monitor their symptoms as they change and view up to date information about the sickness.
CDC
The CDC app is one of the most reliable sources of Covid-19 information for anyone who lives in the U.S. The app gives real time updates and accurate information. It also suggests preventative measures and reminds users about societal rules that have been put in place due to the sickness.
The app gives users easy access to news, articles, videos, and blogs. Most importantly, it has the ability to notify users of Covid-19 related developments via both email, and popup/text message notification.
Coronavirus Maps
If you’re someone who enjoys visuals, Coronavirus Maps is the app for you. While not an app but a desktop site that can be accessed via any internet browser, Coronavirus Maps gives interested parties a look into the numbers of Covid-19 using a visual scale.
Users can view a variety of maps including one from John Hopkins University and another from WHO. On the maps, users can expect to find information on deaths, confirmed and suspected cases, recovery rates, and region-specific totals.
These maps are laid out and labeled with simplicity, which makes them easy to read and understand.
Medline Plus
Medline Plus isn’t an app, but it can be accessed by any mobile device that can run an internet browser. The site is operated by the U.S National Library of Medicine and links its various articles and information to other credible sources like the CDC.
The website offers a number of activities such as quizzes and videos, as well as information about medical tests and an online health encyclopedia.
Covid Symptom Tracker
Covid Symptom Tracker was designed by a team of scientists and doctors at King’s College London, St Thomas’ and Guys hospitals, and Zoe Global Limited, a health company. The app is ideal for slowing the spread of the illness.
It has users taking a one minute test everyday and reporting any symptoms they may have or develop. With the information gathered through the self-reports, founders are able to track the spread within high-risk areas and monitor those who are at the highest risk.
Apple News
If you have an iPhone, Apple News is probably already installed on your device. If you haven’t thought about it, now’s the time to start as it serves as a great portal for Covid-19 news and updates.
Using the Apple News app, you can get information from a variety of reputable sources all in the same place. In addition, Apple News has a dedicated section specifically for information about the Coronavirus, which makes it easy to find the information you’re looking for.
NHS
NHS is a health app for U.K. residents. Through the app, users can stay in the loop with diseases, health recommendations, prevention, and health-related news. While people in the U.S, Canada, and other countries won’t be able to download the NHS app, most countries have their own version of it available to the public.
When downloading your country’s version of the NHS app, be sure that the developer is a government entity, as there are tons of copycat apps on the market.
Youper
While not an app for monitoring Covid-19 or disease, the Youper app makes its way onto our list of recommendations due to its overall usefulness during this difficult time.
Youper is an emotional support app. It uses AI to help users gain peace of mind and work through emotional turmoil. The app uses a variety of strategies including CBT, mindfulness practice, breathing techniques, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
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Conclusion
Covid-19 can cause stress, but with these great apps that stress can be managed and worked through. Keeping up to date with the latest announcements and news will help you feel more at ease with everything that’s happening.