No one could have guessed the events of 2020. From raging wildfires to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was one big hit after another.
In the blink of an eye, our lives were completely turned upside down. Busy streets fell quiet as lockdown restrictions quickly took over, and daily routines took on a different shape. Countless lives were lost, and the way we walk the Earth has changed forever.
There is no sugarcoating how much havoc the novel coronavirus wreaked across the globe. But amid the crisis, people have shown how these are also unprecedented times of resilience and technological advancement.
The scientific community is on the frontlines battling the pandemic. Physicians and researchers are exchanging data rapidly to get ahead of the virus. Moreover, engineers and software developers are supplying cutting-edge innovations to keep frontline workers and the general public safe.
The countries that managed to contain COVID-19 most effectively harnessed technology to enable widespread surveillance, contact tracing, patient management, and the promotion of social distancing. In this blog, we explore the key technologies that played a pivotal role in curbing the spread of the virus.
Medical Health Innovations Born from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Migration Maps
Tracking the disease is a crucial component in a country’s pandemic response. It forecasts transmission dynamics and detects early signs of disease outbreaks. In turn, local governments get extra time to plan health protocols and have a guide in contact tracing.
The pandemic response in Taiwan is among the most admirable in the world. Despite its proximity to Wuhan, China, it has low COVID-19 cases and deaths. This achievement is thanks to the efficient use of migration maps and big data.
Migration maps use geolocation and artificial intelligence (AI) to gather data from various streams of information. It then analyzes migration patterns to provide risk-exposure indices for different areas of interest.
Real-Time Databases
What made COVID-19 particularly hard to handle was the lack of information on the virus. In the early stages of the pandemic, reports stated that transmission occurred solely via droplets. However, growing evidence suggests that airborne exposure can also cause infection.
Real-time databases played a vital role in studying the virus and in informing resource allocation and planning. For example, HealthMap, a website launched by Boston Children’s Hospital, organizes, filters, visualizes, and disseminates information about emerging diseases through automated surveillance.
HealthMap uses news reports, expert-curated discussions, and validated cases of COVID-19 to provide a comprehensive view of the state of the pandemic across the globe. It also comes in a mobile app.
Meanwhile, in Singapore, UpCode Academy created a unified online dashboard to track COVID cases. The visual database includes breakdowns of data to show gender and age distribution, infection sources, active cases, and more.
Self-Report Mobile Apps
Screening for the disease is imperative to battling the pandemic. Unfortunately, testing kits are expensive and scarce. Hospitals and testing laboratories are also overwhelmed.
To supplement formal testing, Massachusetts General Hospital and ZOE launched a mobile app called COVID Symptom Tracker. The free tool lets users answer a quick quiz, which feeds into a shared database showing trends and infection likelihood by location.
Projects like these demonstrate the value of intuitive web apps built around user-reported data and simple, intuitive interface design.
Bluetooth Contact Tracing
Another brilliant application of mobile technology in healthcare involves Bluetooth. In Singapore, the government released a mobile app that uses short-distance Bluetooth signals to track physical encounters.
The tracing app records the information of individuals who come near each other and stores the data on both mobile devices for 21 days. When someone gets infected, authorities extract this log to identify people exposed to the virus.
In September 2020, Bluetooth contact tracing tokens, dubbed TraceTogether Tokens, were distributed to over five million Singaporean citizens. The pocket-sized tracking devices operated like the mobile app.
Because Bluetooth tokens are single-use, they are more accessible to people who are not technologically savvy, such as the elderly. They are also proving to be more effective, as Apple users report that the app is non-functional when it is merely running in the background.
Diagnostic AI
The challenge in fighting novel diseases is that it takes time to develop efficient methods for testing them. COVID-19 is no exception. The tests we currently have either take too long or do not have the ideal level of sensitivity.
There is also the issue of delayed onset of symptoms, completely asymptomatic patients, and the similarities of COVID-19 to other illnesses in the early stages. These factors complicate medical triage procedures, wasting time and resources on merely confirming the presence of the virus.
A group of scientists at the University of Oxford is aiming to solve this very problem through the use of AI. They developed a rapid screening test that swiftly and accurately rules out COVID-19.
In a study published in December 2020, the group reported that CURIAL AI’s emergency department model has an apparent accuracy of 95.1% to 99%. Meanwhile, its admissions model performs with an accuracy of 94.1% to 98.5%.
CURIAL AI is made possible by non-linear machine learning. The AI was trained to classify patients based on blood tests, vital signs, and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test results. Such clinical information is available within the first hour of arriving at the hospital.
Other Technologies That Help Contain COVID-19
While our list highlighted key players in tracking, screening, and contact tracing, other technologies are just as important in containing the spread of COVID-19. These include:
Mobile Payment Apps
Mobile payment apps are convenient and help reduce physical contact, making them essential during health crises. By enabling contactless transactions, these tools support social distancing and safer day-to-day operations.
Many brick-and-mortar businesses now integrate mobile wallets or QR code payments into their e-commerce platforms, allowing customers to pay online or in-store without touching cash or terminals.
Custom mobile payment systems, featuring instant receipts, loyalty tracking, and secure checkout, are becoming the standard for businesses seeking to provide a seamless, low-contact shopping experience.
QR Code Generator
QR code generators are commonly used by smaller establishments for contact tracing. Customers scan the QR code upon entering the premises and complete a brief survey to log their visit, enabling businesses to track foot traffic and maintain a digital record for health authorities.
In some countries, QR codes serve as digital COVID-19 health status certificates and travel passes, enabling smoother entry at checkpoints, airports, and public venues.
They’re easy to generate and integrate into web or mobile applications, making them a practical tool for both safety and operational efficiency.
Scheduler Apps and Queue Systems
Although staying at home is encouraged, stepping out for essential services—like physical examinations, dental appointments, and vaccinations—is sometimes unavoidable. In these cases, scheduler apps and digital queue systems play a crucial role in reducing crowding, managing foot traffic, and ensuring adherence to proper health protocols.
These systems enable patients to book time slots online, receive automated reminders, and check in virtually, thereby minimizing their time spent in waiting areas. Some platforms integrate with custom web applications that sync calendars, manage real-time availability, and even include patient intake forms for contactless processing.
Implementing custom scheduling tools with user-friendly interfaces helps medical clinics, retail outlets, and government offices ensure compliance with social distancing guidelines while also improving operational efficiency. Mobile responsiveness, alert systems, and intuitive dashboards are essential features for streamlining these interactions and enhancing both safety and user experience.
Scalable ECommerce Platforms for Health Supplies
With lockdowns in full effect and public movement limited, many businesses selling health supplies had to pivot quickly to online sales. This triggered a surge in e-commerce development, particularly for medical products, wellness brands, and small businesses offering essential goods.
Setting up online stores wasn’t just about adding a cart—it required secure payment gateways, scalable product catalogs, and mobile-friendly layouts. Platforms like WooCommerce and Magento enable brands to launch quickly while offering flexibility for rapid updates and vital features in a fast-changing landscape.
Optimized checkout processes and simplified navigation also played a big role in boosting conversions and supporting customers in need.
UX/UI Design in Health Tech Adoption
The effectiveness of a health application isn’t just about what it can do, it’s also about how easily people can use it. During the pandemic, tools like self-reporting apps, symptom trackers, and virtual consult platforms had to be designed with clarity and speed in mind. With public health at stake, confusing interfaces or poor user flows could have serious consequences.
Simple navigation, clear calls-to-action, and accessibility features all played a vital role in making these tools widely usable. Whether it’s a responsive form for symptom logging or a contact tracing dashboard, thoughtful UI/UX design ensured these innovations actually reached the people who needed them. This highlights how good digital design isn’t a luxury—it’s a public service.
Agile Web Development in Rapid Health Tech Deployment
The pandemic demanded fast, flexible, and scalable solutions. Development teams had to work on compressed timelines, respond to evolving data, and frequently iterate on feedback from public health experts. Agile web development emerged as a key approach in meeting these urgent demands.
By working in sprints, developers could roll out minimum viable features—like symptom trackers, queue systems, or feedback forms—and improve them incrementally based on real-time user feedback. This collaborative, iterative process ensured that digital health tools could launch quickly without compromising functionality. It also demonstrated the power of agile planning for any project that needs to adapt rapidly, whether in healthcare or other fast-moving industries.
The Future of Digital Health Post-COVID
While COVID-19 may have been the catalyst for widespread digital health adoption, the innovations it sparked are here to stay. From telehealth platforms to automated scheduling and remote monitoring, these technologies are now embedded in the way healthcare systems function.
Going forward, we’ll likely see greater investment in personalized health tracking, AI-powered diagnostics, and digital records integration. Businesses that implemented COVID-era tech are now exploring how to repurpose these tools for long-term value.
For instance, self-check-in kiosks developed for health screenings are now being used for general visitor management. It’s a shift that reveals how thoughtful product development today can yield lasting operational benefits tomorrow.
Integrating Health Tools into Business Platforms
During the height of the pandemic, many companies added health features, such as screening questionnaires, digital waivers, or check-in forms, directly to their websites or booking systems. Rather than building standalone apps, they opted to integrate these tools into platforms they already used. This approach proved efficient for both customers and internal teams. A user visiting a salon’s booking site, for instance, could confirm an appointment and complete a pre-visit health form in one go. Similarly, retail and service businesses linked symptom screeners or contact tracing forms to their e-commerce platforms or landing pages.
By integrating these technologies into existing systems, businesses minimize friction and maximize compliance, setting a precedent for future digital transformations across industries.
Leverage Emerging Technologies with a Professional Team
The rapid pace of innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for businesses to adapt quickly to remain resilient. Whether you’re looking to streamline customer interactions, manage bookings, or launch a new digital service, the right tools can make all the difference.
From building custom web applications and integrating real-time databases to developing secure e-commerce platforms and responsive scheduling systems, emerging technologies offer powerful ways to improve efficiency and user experience.
Don’t let these opportunities pass you by. Learn how you can integrate these innovations—and tailor them to your specific needs—by working with a professional team. Contact DevWerkz today.
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