10 Apps Launched by the Government to Track COVID-19
The Indian Government officially launched its COVID-19 tracking app, Aarogya Setu, on Thursday, for both Android and iOS users. The app has been developed by the National Information Technology Centre. The aim of the app is to “increase” efforts to “proactively” inform citizens about “the best practices and relevant advice related to the containment of COVID-19.” There are other applications for coronavirus developed by the Union and state governments. A lot of these apps are available from the Google Play Store, and some others will be released soon. Some applications even allow you to self-diagnose symptoms that require a small survey.Here is the list of 10 applications that have been launched by the government with the sole aim of raising awareness and combating coronavirus.
Aarogya Setu
In our joint battle against COVID-19, Aarogya Setu is a mobile application developed by the Government of India to connect important health services with the citizens of India. The goal of this app is to increase the Government of India’s initiatives, in particular the Department of Health, by proactively reaching out to and educating the app’s users about the risks, best practices and related COVID-19 containment advisories.- Download the Aarogya Setu app: Android, iOS
- Languages: Currently, the app is available in 11 different languages including Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, and other regional languages.
- Developer of the app: National Informatics Center (NIC)
- Permission needed: Device location, Bluetooth, Data sharing with GoI.
- Release date: 02 April, 2020
How does this app work?
The app tracks the location of a user using GPS and Bluetooth and advises about the risk zones where COVID-19 patients are present. It will alert a person if he/she passes by someone with coronavirus infection.What does this app offer?
- It checks if a person has coronavirus symptoms or if he/she has been in contact with someone with the infection.
- Provides general information about coronavirus and its symptoms and precautions.
- Provides state-wise helpline numbers for any queries
Drawbacks/limitations of the app:
- Heavy battery consumption as you need to enable your GPS and Bluetooth all the time.
- Provides no statistics of COVID-19 patients in an area
- No support for Android 5 and below. Only works on smartphones running on Android 6 and above.
Corona Kavach
The Corona Kavach app has been discontinued by the Government of India. It is replaced by the Aarogya Setu app.
Released in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Corona Kavach was available on the Google Play store. The app’s highlight was that it gave a real-time location for people infected with coronavirus. The app also kept you updated about cases, information, death cases and cured cases in real-time.Why did the Corona Kavach app discontinue?
Firstly, having two separate apps, doing more or less the same thing, made little sense. Secondly, the app was never fully released on Playstore. It was still in beta mode for Android users only. In an official statement by the Government of India, they said “the Corona Kavach app has been discontinued, (and) it has been further developed and a new app Aarogya Setu has been launched by GoI. Please uninstall the Corona Kavach app and install the Aarogya Setu app from (Google) Play Store and (Apple) App Store.”COVA Punjab
COVA Punjab (Corona Virus Alert) App was created by the Government of Punjab to provide information on preventive care and other policy advisories to residents. Users need to sign in with their mobile number to use the app which does not have to be registered in Punjab. Upon logging in, users can view the dashboard that features state notifications of real-time coronavirus cases.- Download the COVA Punjab app:Android, iOS
- Language: Hindi, English, Punjabi
- Developer of the app: Government of Punjab
- Permission needed: Location (GPS and Network both) at the start. Camera and Phone permissions when you use the app.
- Release date: 06 April, 2020
How does this app work?
When a user opens the app for the first time, it asks for location permission. After giving the permission, a user must select the language of the app. Then, mobile number registration is mandatory. Whether you are a resident of Punjab or any other state, enter your mobile number and confirm the OTP. After that, the app will load all the functionalities.What does the app offer?
- Real time dashboard for Punjab, India and global stats
- Check for symptoms of corona and have a quick self-screening
- Corona awareness
- Traveling instructions
- Prevention products
- Corona hospitals, Punjab
- FAQs
- Call support
Drawbacks/limitations:
- Unnecessary permissions required
- Unstable and buggy
- No proper and updated stats are available
- Map scrolling doesn’t work
Mahakavach
It’s a Maharashtra government’s app which has both contact tracking and quarantine tracking service. The app requests permission to access your location. It is being developed by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society.- Download Mahakavach app: Android
- Developer of the app: Maharashtra State Innovation Society
- Permission needed: Storage, Location, Camera, Phone, Photos/Media/Files
- Release Date: 06 April, 2020
What does this app offer?
This app helps citizens to contribute and help track contacts at potential risk of COVID-19 by helping them manage their health. Individuals should use this app as directed by their doctor(s) or medical worker(s).
The app also encourages quarantine status updates to enhance adherence.Drawbacks/limitations:
Difficult to get authorization code
Lots of unnecessary permissions required
The app doesn’t have its name anywhere and lands you on a page that says ‘Private Kit’.Test Yourself Goa
Developed by Goa’s Ministry of Health in collaboration with Innovaccer, Test Yourself Goa app’s official description is to test yourself where users can self-diagnose coronavirus symptoms. The app clearly states that it does not provide medical advice. You can take a quick survey with six basic questions that need quick answers like ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ From travel history to present symptoms, it tells you whether or not they have coronavirus symptoms.- Download Test Yourself Goa app:Android
- Developer of the app: Innovaccer Inc
- Permission needed: Network access
- Release Date: 21 March, 2020
What does this app offer?
It asks for a survey as soon as you open the app for the first time. You have to enter your personal details like Name, Telephone Number, Zip Code, Whether you are Goan or not, and Language. After submitting all these details, you will be able to see if you have coronavirus symptoms or not.Drawbacks/limitations
Very limited functionality
Asks for a lot of personal details.
Recommended Read:COVID-19 Test Centers across India: Get your Health Checkup DoneTest Yourself Puducherry
The app is just like the previous app i.e., Test Yourself Goa. You can check if you have coronavirus symptoms or not by doing a small survey on this app. The developer of this app is the same as that for the previous app.- Download Test Yourself Puducherry app:Android
- Developer of the app: Innovaccer Inc
- Permission needed: Network access
- Release Date: 03 April, 2020
What does this app offer?
The app is very similar to the “Test Yourself Goa” app. It asks you to complete a survey as soon as you open the app for the first time. It asks for your region and language. You get four options for regions including Pondicherry, Mahe, Yanam, Karaikal. Similarly, there are four options of language as well including English, Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil. After you select these two options,You have to enter your personal details like Name, Telephone Number, Zip Code, u go to “Begin Survey”, where you enter your personal details like Name, Age, Gender, Telephone Number, Address, etc. After submitting all these details, you will be able to see if you have coronavirus symptoms or not.Drawbacks/limitations:
Very limited functionality
Asks for a lot of personal detailsCOVID-19 Quarantine Monitor – Tamil Nadu
To ensure that citizens under home quarantine in Tamil Nadu do not violate official guidelines, the state government has collaborated with Pixxon Ai Solutions to develop the COVID-19 Quarantine Monitor app. Users need to log in with a Tamil Nadu-registered mobile number to use the app.- Download the COVID-19 Quarantine Monitor-Tamil Nadu app:Android
- Developer of the app: Pixxon AI Solutions Private Limited
- Permission needed: Location (Both GPS and Network)
- Release Date: 26 March, 2020
What does this app offer?
This application is for people who are quarantined in accordance with the official database. This will help the Ministry of Health and the Tamil Nadu Police to ensure effective tracking and information management.It is a user friendly mobile app to be downloaded onto the mobile phone of a quarantined individual.
Drawbacks/limitations:
Not usable for everyone.
Does not provide any information about coronavirus or its symptoms or precautions.Quarantine Watch
Similar to the Tamil Nadu Government’s COVID-19 Quarantine Monitor app, Quarantine Watch monitors the location of those under home quarantine in Karnataka.- Download the Quarantine Watch app: Android
- Developer of the app: Revenue Department, Government of Karnataka
- Permission needed: Location (Both GPS and Network), Phone, Photos/Media/Files, Storage, Camera
- Release Date: 07 April, 2020
What does this app offer?
When you open the app for the first time, you are asked to enter your mobile number to proceed. After you enter your number and verify the OTP, you can use the app. This application is for people who are quarantined in accordance with the official database of India. This will help the Ministry of Health and the Karnataka Police to ensure effective tracking and information management.Drawbacks/limitations:
Very limited use. Can only be used by quarantined people
Unstable and buggy sometimes
Demands lots of personal users’ details.GoK Direct Kerala
It’s a simple corona news app. You can get the latest news and stories from around the world about the coronavirus pandemic. Get the number of coronavirus patients, deaths, and recovered in this app. This is not a tracking app or a medical advice app.- Download the GoK Kerala app:Android, iOS
- Developer of the app: Qkopy, Calicut
- Permission needed: Photos/Media/Files, Storage, Network access
- Release Date: 30 March, 2020
What does this app offer?
The app offers exclusive updates from GoK-Direct Kerala, where users can download and install the app to use the service free of charge. Signup and registration are not required for the user to use this app.- General awareness
- Awareness and precautions for travelers
- Quarantine protocol
- Advice to visitors/tourists
Drawbacks/limitations:
Does not help with tracking of coronavirus
Don’t have updated news about COVID-19COVID19 Feedback
The Central Government of India has developed an app to address coronavirus cases in India. The app takes feedback from people who have undergone treatment. It is not a tracking app or quarantine app but a feedback app for the government. They can listen to the problems faced by people and take appropriate decisions accordingly.- Download the COVID19 Feedback app:Android
- Developer of the app: MeitY, Government Of India
- Permission needed: Contacts, Photos/Media/Files, Storage, WiFi connection information, Phone identity, Network access
- Release Date: 22 March, 2020
These are some of the popular apps available on the Play Store or App Store to download. In the meantime, it is said that other states are also working on the application. The Indian government’s official app ‘Arogya Setu’ is being looked at and one can believe it might help us keep up-to-date with everything that’s going on in the Covid-19 country.Download the app and share your feedback on which app did you like the most.