FIGHTING COVID THROUGH ADVANCEMENTS IN CONTACT TRACING WITH WEARABLES

Photo By James Beddow | Wearable devices interconnectivity  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

04.27.2022

Story by James Beddow 

Defense Health Agency

The ability to track COVID-19 positive contacts is not an easy process.
Many organizations use sign-in sheets or computer applications that
require a person to enter information manually. These methods track
single entry into an area but not to specific individuals they interact
with throughout the day.
An ongoing contact tracing effort with the Joint Emergent Operational
Need uses wearable devices and a network of receiving devices called
anchors to record collected data from the wearable devices as it relates
to the CDC‘s COVID-19 close contact phrase “too close too long.” This
contact tracing system completed efforts to meet all CDC requirements
and entered into the final phase of testing and independent validation
and verification. Testing is being conducted at the METIC, PEO DHMS’
secure, shared and managed facility that provided hosting services for
federal health IT test events that require physical equipment and hands-on
testing. PEO DHMS expects to deploy a full capability solution
in September 2022.
The team can reuse the WorkWell architecture as the basis for this contact
tracing design. WorkWell reports work availability, work location and
COVID-19 status, and reuse of this architecture allows the team to shorten
development time. The front-end application allows MTF administrators
to provision wearable devices to service members simply and easily and
provides near real-time views on devices that were “too close to long.”
Additionally, the system delivers contact information for service members
who test positive for COVID-19, providing invaluable information in the
fight against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
The wearable devices can also be used onboard a ship in a
“disconnected” mode. This mode allows the information to be captured
and monitored locally while service members are deployed. Upon return,
the system reconnects to a military network and offloads the contact
information to the central databases.
The contact tracing system is only the start of a larger effort to enter the
‘Internet of Things’ world securely and safely. The information gained in
this project supports future efforts to expand the potential use of other
devices to capture data otherwise unavailable.

• Date Taken: 04.27.2022
• Date Posted: 04.29.2022 11:24
• Story ID: 419434
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US