We are all aware of the seriousness of the current pandemic. The spread of the COVID-19 virus has turned our world upside down, and left us feeling helpless and afraid.

 

As we all self-isolate one thing we are doing is using our technology, which is something the virus is not able to do. This is one of our few advantages against the virus, so we should use it.

 

As an actuary, over recent weeks I have been studying the incidence rates (cases/tested), and death rates (deaths/cases) of various countries, in an attempt to determine best practice actions taken to “flatten the curve”. At this time, March 20 2020, sitting in Canada, approximately two weeks behind Europe and a month behind Asia, one or two countries stand out as having done things that have worked well to contain the spread of COVID-19. The most notable is South Korea. They have done the most testing 286,716 (0.6% of their population) as of yesterday. Testing allowed them to determine quickly who is infected and requires treatment.

 

Once an individual has been found to be infected, they have been very efficient to trace the infected person’s contacts – anyone they have been within 6 feet (2 meters) of (COVID-19 Contacts). The faster this contact tracing can be done the better as it will slow the spread of the virus.

 

So, as we sit here, especially in countries like Canada and the USA, waiting for the inevitable wave of infection coming our way, we need to ask ourselves is there something we can do to be ready, to prepare ourselves, to make use of the lessons learned from places like South Korea?

 

There are three simple things we can do right now:

 

1. Physical Distancing – Keep a safe barrier of 6 feet (2 meters) from other people.

2. Hygiene – hand washing and cleaning surfaces.

3. Create and maintain a list of COVID-19 Contacts.

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The COVID-19Contacts.com tool is designed to assist with creating and maintaining this close contact list – the list of people you have allowed within your 6 ft. (2 meter) safety barrier.

 

When you become infected by COVID-19 the list can be used to contact these people to stop the spread of the virus. When someone on your list becomes infected you can take the necessary steps for yourself as well as contacting the people on your list to help stop the spread of the virus.

 

Further, we expect that the act of tracking these COVID-19 contacts, having to manually add them to the list, will make you more aware of your interactions, and keep your COVID-19 list to a minimum.

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This is a simple and easy to use tool you can start using today to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

 

George Graziani F.S.A.  F.C.I.A.

Wyssem Doumandji - Lead Developer