Software aims to identify coronavirus 'supercarriers'

Poland’s DataWalk has created software that uses data to identify people at risk of being coronavirus “supercarriers”.

The firm said that its software can proactively identify those who could unwittingly spread the COVID-19 disease as well as those at risk of contracting it.

The software connects and correlates vast amounts of data such as immigration records, individuals who are known to be affected, mobile phone data.

This allows the software to identify potential super carriers who are often resistant to the disease themselves and do not know that they can infect others.

It can then identify people who have been infected through contact with a super carrier or someone who is currently diagnosed with the virus.

Appropriate medical actions and precautions could then be taken to help minimise the spread of the virus.

Details of the solution can be seen in a demonstration video published by the company.

While the software may be useful, the debate about the treatment of “super spreaders” on social media continues.

The Vietnamese socialite Nga Nguyen has spoken out after being singled out in press reports for spreading the virus after attending several fashion shows across the world in February.

Her sister Hong Nhung and driver have also been tested as positive for coronavirus after attending the events in February.

Several other people who shared a flight with the sisters have gone on to become infected with the disease.

Nga has been described as fashion’s “patient zero” and has closed her social media accounts after receiving threats.

“People said I flew home, that I already knew when I was at the shows — neither of which is true — that I am spoiled, that because I showed my cleavage in one picture, that’s why the virus was attracted to me, that it’s time for greedy fashion people to stop and think,” Ms. Nguyen said in a phone interview with the New York Times.