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Chinese tech companies launch apps to help netizens tackle coronavirus

  • Chinese tech companies have launched a spate of platforms and services aimed at providing verified information about the coronavirus outbreak
  • The new ad hoc tools include platforms that map recent infections, provide updates about the epidemic and offer free online doctor consultations

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A man wearing a protective face mask to help stop the spread of a deadly SARS-like virus which originated in the central city of Wuhan uses his mobile phone inside a train in Beijing on January 28, 2020. Photo: AFP
KrASIA

With the coronavirus outbreak continuing to spread around the country, Chinese tech companies have launched a spate of platforms and services aimed at providing verified information about the illness.

The 2019-nCov virus has been sweeping across China since January and has already claimed 636 lives and infected almost 29,000 people as of Friday morning. Cases have also been reported in 24 other countries including Thailand, Singapore, Japan and the US.

The new ad hoc tools include apps and platforms that map recent infections, provide the latest updates about the epidemic, and facilitate free online doctor consultations and AI-powered answers to virus-related questions.

Here are some of these new apps.

1. Real-time virus tracking

Chinese internet company Qihoo 360 joined forces with tech company NoSugarTech to develop a tracking platform that lets users check whether they have recently travelled near any confirmed infected people, according to the company.

Data on the platform comes from public verified sources such as state-owned media reports and local government websites. The platform is supported by Qihoo 360’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology to ensure that information is timely and accurate, according to local tech media PingWest. NoSugarTech has also partnered with state-owned media People’s Daily, which will be responsible for reviewing the reliability of the information sources, local media 36Kr reported.

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