RAPID TEST distributor LabX Corp. will perform virus tracing capability for local software developer Spring Valley Tech Corporation’s (SVTC) mobile contact tracing application after the two companies have formalized their partnership last week.
In a statement on Tuesday, the testing firm said it signed a memorandum of agreement on June 18 with the software company to trace cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for the latter’s Citizen’s Logistics and Early Assessment Report (CLEAR) app.
“Through this contact tracing app, we could save more lives and the livelihood of the people. This could also provide a health-information exchange that will allow contact tracing in the country, which will be very useful for the government,” LabX Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hector Thomas Navasero was quoted as saying.
The CLEAR mobile app, which Spring Valley co-developed with CMI Tech, helps trace contacts of persons infected with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the virus which causes the dreaded disease, through Bluetooth and GPS (Global Positioning System) technologies.
It tells users if they have been in close contact with someone who is infected with the virus by automatically connecting to other mobile devices through the app and exchanging anonymized identifications in encrypted form.
“It is important for the public to contribute vital data so that their state of health and touch-points with other individuals will be updated from time to time. With this information, the authorities can offer other initiatives alongside mass testing that can help allay the public’s concerns,” said Norman Bungubung, director of corporate affairs at LabX. — Adam J. Ang
