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By Kim Bo-eun
Asia was largely impacted by the coronavirus in the first few months of this year, following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December. However, technological capabilities have enabled governments in the region to take quick and effective measures to contain the virus, effectively curbing its spread, according to McKinsey Global Institute, the top consulting firm's research arm.
In a report issued May 13, the institute noted early detection of infections, and identification of routes taken by patients helped contain the virus, and this was enabled by digitization and data deployment at scale in collaboration between the public and private sectors.
In Korea, contact-tracing information is shared with the public through apps such as Corona Map and Corona 100m, enabling people to avoid areas where they are more likely to be infected.
The government of Singapore launched a mobile app, TraceTogether, which uses Bluetooth signals to record when people have been close to one another and alert them if they have been near a person known to be infected with the virus. By early April, about 1 million out of Singapore's population of 5.6 million had downloaded the app.
In China, artificial intelligence (AI) specialist SenseTime deployed contactless temperature-detection equipment to screen up to 10 individuals per second in subway stations, schools and public centers in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
Technology was also incorporated into healthcare. Wuhan had an online remote diagnosis center equipped with 5G technology up and running by Feb. 27. Korea's Seegene, a developer of multiplex molecular technologies, used an AI-based big data system to design a diagnosis test within two to three weeks. This was a process that would have taken two to three months if it were done manually.
Social media platforms were utilized for quick and transparent communication between governments and the public. Australia and Singapore provided COVID-19 updates through official WhatsApp channels. Singapore created a coronavirus microsite that publishes daily the latest figures on confirmed cases including age, travel history and contact with previously confirmed cases of infected individuals.
"Transparent, timely communication has been important for ensuring that citizens and businesses make informed decisions, and technology has been critical to this," the report said.
Technology companies enabled farmers and wholesalers to sell directly to consumers via e-commerce. Online meeting platforms were incorporated for teleconferencing as offices closed. According to the report, in China, DingTalk experienced a 1,446 percent year-on-year growth in downloads, and Tencent Meeting had more than 10 million active daily users by February this year.
Technology was also used to redeploy labor when needed. Alibaba's grocery delivery subsidiary hired workers from restaurants and retail outlets that were shut down. The company simplified operational procedures so that new workers only needed two hours of training.
"Technology has helped reskill workers in order to meet large shifts in the types of demand during the pandemic and help people remain employed," the report said.
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