Covid-19 tracking system launched

THE government introduced a Covid-19 tracking system on Thursday to automatically receive incoming and outgoing voice calls (Interactive Voice Response, “IVR”) and identify people suspected of having Covid-19.

The announcement was made by Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth and Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine.

A press release said the system helps to avoid congestion on the existing and running 115 message response system and it can receive calls and answer automatically and identify people suspected of having Covid-19.

The system can also automatically send voice messages to people suspected of having Covid-19 in order to track their health and provide necessary data to identify those at high risk for Covid-19 infection.

“I hope this system will be able to support the efforts of the Ministry of Health, which is the front line for preventing the spread of Covid-19,” Vandeth said.

He also thanked telecommunications operators Cellcard, Smart Axiata, Metfone and Telecom Cambodia for the use of 115 services free of charge.

“Teams have developed this system successfully and it has been tested for many months. This system is convenient and effective in identifying people who are at risk of getting infected by Covid-19,” said the ministry’s deputy directorgeneral Cheang Sopheak.

Vandine said the system was developed based on the current situation.

“We are in a cautious situation with Covid-19. Our citizens seem not to really care about protection from this pandemic because they believe that all cases in Cambodia are imported. Thinking that way can cause a high risk,” she said.

She said citizens need to be cautious to prevent the spread of Covid-19. She pointed out that Vietnam now has cases being transmitted in the community.