CMU Develops CM-CHANA for COVID-19 Screening During the Resurgence
8 February 2021
Corporate Communication and Alumni Relations Center (CCARC)
Compared to the first outbreak, the second wave of COVID-19 has an increased number of infected cases and rapid spread. For Chiang Mai, a city with a constant influx of tourists and locals, the existing screening method (filling out forms) might not be suitable. Therefore, the Governor of Chiang Mai and the Chiang Mai Public Health Doctor had the idea of using the online registration system and data input screening. Consequently, the Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, developed the CM-CHANA application for visitors traveling to Chiang Mai to register in the system to track risk groups in the area and control the outbreak.
The application was developed based on the CMU Self Health Check for COVID-19 initially designed for CMU students and staff and has been put into use since late December of 2020. Due to the resurgence of COVID-19, visitors to Chiang Mai must download the CM-CHANA and scan QR codes as required by the measure for controlling the mobility of inbound visitors, who must fill in personal information and record their health data for 14 days. The system then makes a health assessment, and if a visitor is a risk group, the system will send a warning SMS in red telling them to contact the hospital. The app helps inform healthcare professionals of the number of people traveling into the area and keeps a close observation of the situation.
CMU is confident that CM-CHANA will increase the efficiency in tracking and controlling the infection. It is also an essential tool in helping healthcare professionals make a timely investigation and providing proper self-care suggestions to users during the pandemic.