TraceTogether (the device for tracking of the infected COVID-19)

2020: The beginning of distribution of devices in Singapore

On June 29, 2020 it became known that the authorities of Singapore began to distribute wearable TraceTogether gadgets Bluetooth-enabled to elderly citizens who are in a zone of risk of infection with COVID-19 coronavirus. Devices, as expected, will help those who experience difficulties with use of modern smartphones and applications. TraceTogether is own development of management of Smart Nation and Digital Government Office which is responsible in the country for projects in the field of the smart cities and the digital government.

TraceTogether with Bluetooth support includes the unique QR code and excludes access to cellular communication, the Internet and also GPS. The device can be used about 6-9 months without recharge. Nevertheless, it does not prevent the device to perform the functions effectively. TraceTogether gadgets support data exchange by means of Bluetooth with other gadgets which are close, or with smartphones on which the TraceTogether application is started. If the holder of adaptation is near people who are infected with COVID-19 or can pose a threat, the gadget will warn about it.

If at the person infection with a coronavirus was confirmed, the relevant information gets to a single system, from where, in turn, it comes to the smartphone with the application or on the TraceTogether device. As soon as the infected user appears in a zone of potential contact with other people, their gadgets signal about it.

The authorities of Singapore began to distribute wearable TraceTogether gadgets Bluetooth-enabled to elderly citizens who are in a zone of risk of infection with COVID-19 coronavirus

The application is focused on fixing of distance between devices of participants of the TraceTogether system and also on duration of their interaction. Data are fixed and stored in encrypted form on the user's device within 21 days (the incubatory period of a virus) if participants are at distance of two meters from each other more than half an hour. Meanwhile the command from the Ministry of Health cares for that users of devices could receive a warning of threat quickly. Besides, the application helps health workers to provide immediately infected the help.

It is known that the TraceTogether application by the end of June, 2020 was downloaded already by more than 2.1 million people. Meanwhile the authorities of the country want to improve functionality and design of devices and also to achieve a bigger distribution of a new solution among persons which have no access to smartphones.^[1]

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