The global early warning system on COVID-19 is available at https://covid19global.net. — Photo vietnamplus.vn

HÀ NỘI — An early warning system for COVID-19 has been launched by the Institute of Prevention Medicine and Public Health (IPMPH) at the Hà Nội University of Medicine.

Introduced yesterday, the system provides analyses on the disease threats and countries’ response abilities at https://covid19global.net.

Trần Xuân Bách, project leader, said the system was based on research results issued by an international network of experts on epidemiology and disease control as well as updated data released by reputable databases.

Besides counting infections, deaths and recoveries, it uses artificial intelligence to analyse and evaluate threats which may lead to outbreaks in different areas of the world in accordance with characteristics of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), collective behaviour and ecological factors.

“There are many factors, such as the number of people currently confirmed in each area, the level of interaction and mobility, population density, weather, responsiveness and disease control capacity in each country,” said Bách.

Input data allows the system to quantify the risks and speed of disease transmission. For example, it forecasts that risks outside China will outnumber those from mainland China.

Bách said research results were a dependable source of information for policymakers to discuss and closely collaborate with the group to come up with the most optimal control strategies.

Head of IPMPH Lê Thị Hương expressed her hopes of the system as an innovative approach to fighting COVID-19.

According to the system, new infections may appear in Việt Nam in March with the cities of Đà Nẵng, Hà Nội, HCM and Nha Trang among the most vulnerable areas. The chances have been rated at 21 per cent, including 13 per cent caused by risks from outside China.

Bách said response plans had to be developed for different locations, paying attention to local human resources, facilities and promoting civic engagement.

The institute is encouraging people to update the site.

From 59 cases reported in China in December 2019, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has jumped to nearly 91,000, causing over 3,100 deaths in more than 60 countries and territories. — VNS