Aarogya Setu App: Why Should You Download?

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that affected billions worldwide and with a significant number of deaths being reported every day, India was in a tense situation and the Government of India was trying to find every possible solution to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. It had assembled a team of experts to develop technical solutions which was directly led by the Prime Minister of India and in support with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched a mobile-based application known as Aarogya Setu App to help people get the required medical services, know the status of Covid-19 and track nearby locations and areas affected with the virus. Aarogya Setu App is available on both Android and iOS platforms and can be downloaded from the respective app stores. 

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How Does Arogya Setu App work?

The application uses contact tracing to record everyone the user has met during this pandemic. If one or more of these people develop symptoms of Covid-19 in the future, this app will immediately direct the user's attention to such developments. GPS & Bluetooth are two of the essential requirements for Aarogya Setu App to function effectively. 

Below is a complete breakdown of how the app actually tracks people you meet: 

• After installing the app, the user must allow access through Bluetooth and GPS. 
• Using the Bluetooth feature, this app searches for all users of the Aarogya Setu software nearby. 
• Simultaneously, GPS tagging every 15 minutes allows the app to pinpoint where the user is. 
• These recordings are saved on your phone. However, if a self-assessment by this app indicates that he is likely to have Covid-19 infection, this data will be uploaded to a server for government testing and use.

Once you have an understanding of the app, below mentioned are step-by-step processes on how to get started.

Step 1: Download the Aarogya Setu application on your phone. For Android users, download it through Google PlayStore and for iOS users, from the Apple App Store.

Step 2: The application supports 12 languages, choose the one you prefer. Then, click on 'Next'. 

Step 3: Carefully read the slides that come up and scroll to the fourth slide to click on 'Register Now'. 

Step 4: Once you click on ‘register’, you will need to accept the terms of service & privacy by clicking on 'I agree'. 

Step 5: Once provided the necessary permission, allow location sharing and Bluetooth access.

Step 6: Users will receive an OTP on their registered phone number, which they must enter correctly to proceed.

Step 7: Select your gender.

Step 8: Enter personal details, such as name, age and profession.

Step 9: Enter all international travel details if you have stepped outside the country in the previous month.

Step 10: Start a 20-second assessment test to assess whether you show any markers of Covid-19.

How Does Aarogya Setu Know About Your COVID-19 Positive Status?

• After you provide the sample  in the lab, it is analysed.
• The lab furnishes a look at findings at the ICMR portal.
• If you take a look at +ve, ICMR will display it on Arogya Setu.
• The app will mark your reputation as COVID+ve (RED) & begin touch tracing

Note: In case you're examined positive for Covid-19 however the status indicates that your Aarogya Setu App is safe, get in touch with the testing lab (from wherein you had submitted your take a look at samples) and test whether or not the lab has updated your accurate information at the ICMR portal

Why Download the Aarogya Setu App?

Downloading the app is not mandatory, but should be installed on your smartphone immediately. This allows you to take advantage of the following benefits:

• Check if the virus is in a common hotspot area. 
• Find out about various safety guidelines to follow to avoid infection.  
• Self-assessment to determine if you have symptoms of Covid-19.  
• Those who are particularly at risk will receive additional support in the form of quarantine guidelines and treatment options to minimise health risks from coronavirus. 
• This app uses your contact sources to let you know when someone you met a few days ago tests positive for the infection. This feature allows users to quickly report contacts and take tests. 
• This mobile application will keep you up to date with the status of her ongoing Covid-19 cases in your area and in India.

In addition to other features, the application also got an update with an e-passport feature. E-passports refer to a government initiative to allow providers of essential services and goods some degree of freedom from nationwide lockdowns. Holders of this e-passport can transport goods between states.

The Arogya Setu app integrates this e-passport functionality, allowing users to carry their own digital version of their passport with this application. This section within the app contains  unique alphanumeric codes and QR codes. By examining this digital passport, we can identify the user's company name, e-passport expiration date, job type, and supply chain partners.