Weizmann Institute scientists have developed a method for monitoring, identifying, and predicting geographical clusters where the coronavirus is prevalent and likely to spread.
The method is at the core of the Predict Corona project, spearheaded by Weizmann Institute’s Prof. Eran Segal and Prof. Benjamin Geiger, together with the Hebrew University’s Prof. Yuval Dor.
“Viral spread occurs in clusters of infection,” says Prof. Segal. “Therefore, early identification of clusters may facilitate various actions aimed at slowing down the spread of the virus.”
Predict Corona is a brief, one-minute voluntary survey that asks one to share their geographical location, and any symptoms associated with COVID-19. The questionnaire tracks the development of virus-induced symptoms, and the analysis relies on Big Data algorithms and artificial intelligence.
The survey is being used in other countries including the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain and many more.
Already, the scientists have detected a significant increase in symptoms reported by the public in areas where verified coronavirus patients are known to have been. The mapping may enable health authorities to concentrate anti-contagion efforts on areas in which an outbreak and spread of the virus is predicted—while allowing them to ease measures in areas where an outbreak is not expected.
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