The Role of Digital Technology in Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic: Saudi Arabia’s Experience

• DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s317511
• Publication Date: 2021-09-20T18:30:08Z
• Authors: Anas Khan; Ahmed Alahmari; Yasir Almuzaini; Nada Alturki; Alhanouf Aburas; Fahad A Alamri; Mohammed Albagami; Mashael Alzaid; Turki Alharbi; Rahaf Alomar; Muath Abu Tayli; Abdullah M Assiri; Hani A Jokhdar
• Keywords: Pandemic; Case fatality rate

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a single-chain ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus. As of March 25, 2021, the total number positive cases and fatalities in Kingdom Saudi Arabia (KSA) had reached 386,300 6624, respectively, with case fatality rate 1.71%. KSA was among leading nations to heed advice WHO officials put strict precautionary preventive measures place curb early spread COVID-19 before it declared global pandemic.This an uncontrolled before-after study following mixed-method approach for data collection. National regional were extracted from Health Electronic Surveillance Network (HESN), centralized public health collection system quantitative statistical data. Quantitative qualitative methods have been utilized studying derived tech media.The authorities different technological tools aid managing combating pandemic. In Al Madinah Mounawarah, after implementation several technologies, most important being Tawakkalna, active daily decreased 61%.The use Tawakkalna application proven be successful method fighting pandemic KSA. This vital essential experience warrants digital technology that offers personalized profile displaying person's status (affected, vaccinated, or no history infection). played will continue play crucial effective role containment Arabia.