The project "Development of a surveillance system to identify probable cases of COVID-19" will be carried out by the Autonomous University of Asunción (UAA) and will receive 360 million guaranies (51.000 USD), for its development.
A group of eight researchers from the UAA will develop an epidemiological surveillance project based on Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the purpose of identifying probable cases of COVID-19. And additionally, they will create a protocol for the assisted detection of infections, and thus complement the system with which the Health Surveillance Directorate currently works.
The study seeks to identify key characteristics of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as symptoms and their duration, and thus develop a predictive model that helps easily identify patients on a massive scale. Through a predictive model, it is possible to determine suspected cases to test them for COVID-19 before they can begin to spread.
The research directed by the UAA will be possible thanks to the financing of the National Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt) through the PROCIENCIA Program with support from the Fund for Excellence in Education and Research (FEEI).
The research promotes the use of similar strategies for other infectious diseases, especially those transmitted by vectors, such as dengue, chikungunya or Zika.
Thus, Paraguay seeks to control the advance of the virus through the use of technology, such as Big Data, and traceability of infected patients. According to information from the Government of Paraguay, Conacyt will invest more than 1 million dollars to continue the development of research projects that present efficient solutions in the fight against the coronavirus.
