CovidSense: A Smartphone-based Initiative for Fighting COVID-19 Spreading

Abstract

Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus, first identified in clusters with pneumonia-like symptoms with manifestation mainly of fever (>37.8oC), runny nose, dry cough, anosmia, loss of taste, and fatigue. Testing for COVID-19 can be carried out on samples obtained by various methods, including nasopharyngeal swab or sputum sample. Results are generally available within a few hours to one day. Taking into consideration the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic impact (more than 35.500.000 incidences and more than 1.000.000 deaths so far), it is clear that there is an immediate need to devise an effective tool that can be used both at the hospital and home sites to provide a reliable risk index of confronting COVID-19. Here, the potentialities of a smartphone-based app, namely CovidSense, that could provide a reliable COVID-19 risk index to the user before performing any relevant clinical test, monitor his/her symptoms and provide guidance for further actions are presented. CovidSense is a holistic approach for COVID-19 risk assessment that captures both the status of the respiratory system, via acquisition and AI-based analysis of breathing and coughing sounds, along with the Autonomic Nervus System/Immune System status, via the capturing and analysis of the Heart Rate Variability. The analytical description and functionality of the CovidSense included here manifests the usefulness of such approach in continuous symptoms monitoring, allowing people with early symptoms, quarantined and sensitive groups, such as older adults and patients with comorbidities, to become active participants in the effort of fighting the spread of COVID-19, by monitoring their status and get engaged in appropriate preventative actions. CovidSense paves the way for solutions using technological artifacts, such as smartphones, to foster inclusiveness and joint efforts in successfully addressing global health problems, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.