While issuing the daily updates on the Covid-19 status in the country on Monday, May 11, Health CAS Rashid Aman launched a Whatsapp bot that Kenyans can use to would get information relating to the pandemic.
Noting that the cases were rising in the country, Aman stated that the bot would provide more information to anyone seeking to educate themselves on Covid-19.
"The number of the Whatsapp bot is 0110719719, which has an embedded simple diagnostic tool that provides information on the pandemic as requested," he stated during the press conference.
Kenyans.co.ke tried using the bot and as explained by the CAS it was already in service. The first step after saving the number is simply chatting with it as you would a friend.
The introductory message from the bot is accompanied with an option of choosing your preferred language.
"Shikamoo, karibu katika huduma yetu. Tafadhali chagua lugha inayokufaa (1. Kiswahili or (2. Kiingereza)
(Good afternoon, welcome to our service. Please choose your preferred language (1. Kiswahili), (2. English)
The bot thereafter directs you to put in your details for purposes of registration, starting with your full name and the county you reside in.
Once you have input those details you are registered to use the service where you can access three options:
- Self-diagnosis tools
- Information on Covid-19
- Update your profile.
A WhatsApp Bot is a chatbot or software program that enables a user to embark on conversational commerce and manage customer issues. It saves time as it answers questions in real-time.
But with the data collections, come data privacy and the intrusion of it. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the issue of data mining has come to play as governments use people's data in tracing potential Covid-19 carriers. A situation in South Korea where contact tracing has been made efficient by using people's cell phones has seen the country manage its Covid-19 cases at the expense of people's privacy.
On Monday, May 11, CAS Aman announced that 28 people had tested positive for Covid-19 in the preceding 24 hours, bringing the total confirmed cases within the country to 700.
At the same time, 12 patients had recovered and were discharged bringing the number of total recoveries to 251.
Ministry of Health Director-General Dr.Patrick Amoth announced that the government would start Covid-19 tests for all Kenyans who seek admission to hospitals
“Before you are admitted to hospital, one of the tests that you will have to undergo will be a Covid-19 test, this will protect frontline health workers and other patients whose immune system may be compromised,” Dr Amoth added.
