Perspective: COVID-19 Outbreak and Information Tools

In April 2020, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak originating in Wuhan, China, began spreading worldwide. There are currently more than two million cases. The World Health Organization has declared the viral spread to be a pandemic. The virus is transmitted between humans via droplets in the air and contaminated surfaces. After 2–14 days of incubation time, mild to severe symptoms occur, sometimes resulting in death. Key strategies for managing the pandemic are early detection, quarantine, and treatment. Many drugs or drug combinations like Hydroxychloroquine/Azithromycin or antiviruses like Remdesivir, which were originally designed to treat the Ebola virus, have been screened clinically to treat COVID-19 patients. Vaccines are likewise being developed by biotechnology companies and universities. We report in this paper how technology, and geographic information tools, can be used to control the pandemic in African settings. Different thematic such as flights tracking, electronic surveillance using web mass tools, temperature detectors, and telemedicine but also issues are developed.