Integration of multiple geospatial applications and intelligence for responding to COVID-19 in Ghana
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ghana Med j
Abstract
Objective: We describe the use of integrated geospatial applications for the provision of access to timely and accurate
data on samples, visualisation of Spatio-temporal patterns of cases and effective communication between field sample
collectors, testing laboratories, Regional Health directors and Government Decision Makers.
Design: This study describes how an integrated geospatial platform based on case location and intelligence was de veloped and used for effective COVID-19 response during the initial stages of COVID-19 in Ghana.
Data Source: Collector for ArcGIS, ArcGIS Survey123
Main outcome measure: successful development and deployment of integrated geospatial applications and analytics.
Results: The Collector for ArcGIS app was customised to collect COVID-19 positive cases location information.
Survey 123 was introduced as a COVID-19 contact tracing application to digitise the case-based forms and provide
real-time results from the laboratories to GHS and other stakeholders. The laboratory backend allowed the testing
laboratories access to specific information about each patient (sample) collected by the fieldworkers. The regional
supervisors’ backend web application provided accessing test results for confidentiality and timely communication of
results.
Conclusion: Geospatial platforms were successfully established in Ghana to provide timely results to Regional Health
Directors and Government decision-makers. This helped to improve the timeliness of response and contact tracing at
the district level.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
ArcGIS, geospatial, COVID-19, pandemic, distribution