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Use of geographic information systems web mapping application to support active case search to guide public health and social measures in the context of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe: a preliminary report to guide replication of methods in similar resource settings.
Bello, Isah Mohammed; Moyo, Thandekile Ntombikayise; Munyanyi, Manes; Akpan, Godwin Ubong; Isibor, Irene; Sunganai, Lincoln Charimari; Umar, Abubakar Sadiq; Krishnan, Ravi Shankar Santhana Gopala; Touray, Kebba; Rupfutse, Maxwell; Manangazira, Portia; Ntale, Alex Gasasira; Fussum, Daniel; Mkanda, Pascal.
  • Bello IM; World Health Organization, Inter-Country Support Team office for East and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe.
  • Moyo TN; World Health Organization, African Regional Office, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Munyanyi M; World Health Organization, Harare, Zimbabwe.
  • Akpan GU; World Health Organization, Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Isibor I; World Health Organization, African Regional Office, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Sunganai LC; World Health Organization, African Regional Office, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Umar AS; World Health Organization, Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Krishnan RSSG; Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe.
  • Touray K; World Health Organization, Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Rupfutse M; World Health Organization, African Regional Office, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Manangazira P; World Health Organization, Harare, Zimbabwe.
  • Ntale AG; World Health Organization, African Regional Office, Brazzaville, Congo.
  • Fussum D; World Health Organization, Inter-Country Support Team office for East and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe.
  • Mkanda P; World Health Organization, Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
Pan Afr Med J ; 38: 159, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1145704
ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:

the new coronavirus (COVID-19) that emerged from Wuhan, Hubei Province of China in December 2019, causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has fast spread across the entire globe, with most countries struggling to slow and reduce the spread of the virus through rapid screening, testing, isolation, case management, contact tracing, implementing social distancing and lockdowns. This has been shown to be a major factor in countries that have been successful in containing COVID-19 transmission. Early detection of cases is important, and the use of geospatial technology can support to detect and easily identify potential hotspots that will require timely response. The use of spatial analysis with geographic information systems (GIS) had proved to be effective in providing timely and effective solutions in supporting epidemic response and pandemics over the years. It has developed and evolved rapidly with a complete technological tool for representing data, model construction, visualization and platform construction among others.

METHODS:

we conducted a geospatial analysis to develop a web mapping application using ArcMap and ArcGIS online to guide and support active case search of potential COVID-19 cases, within 500m radius of COVID-19 confirmed cases to improve detection and testing of suspected cases.

RESULTS:

the web mapping application tool guides the active case search teams in the field, with clear boundaries on the houses to be visited within 500-meter radius of confirmed positive cases, to conduct active case search of all cases of severe acute respiratory illnesses (SARI), acute respiratory illnesses (ARI), pneumonia etc, to detect and test for COVID-19 towards containing the pandemic.

CONCLUSION:

the use of GIS and spatial statistical tools have become an important and valuable tool in decision-making and, more importantly, guiding health care professional and other stakeholders in the response being carried out in a more coherent and easy manner. It has proven to be effective in supporting the active case search process to rapidly detect, test and isolate cases during the process, towards containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Public Health / Geographic Information Systems / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Pan Afr Med J Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Pamj.2021.38.159.27143

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Public Health / Geographic Information Systems / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Country/Region as subject: Africa Language: English Journal: Pan Afr Med J Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Pamj.2021.38.159.27143