Table 1.

Opportunities for integrating contact tracing with emerging technologies. Digital Contact tracing applications (apps).

Emerging technology	Possible activities of COVID-19 contact tracing applications
Artificial intelligence	•Regular check body temperature if integrated with smartphones, smartwatches, smart thermometers •Initial screening of COVID-19 suspected individuals using body temperature among others •Have a “chatbox” for real-time communication, education and remote monitoring of individuals
Internet of Things	•Allow authorities to have real-time access to COVID-19 data for contact-persons •Remote monitoring of COVID-19 patients in quarantine centres and or self-isolation
Geographical information systems	•provide a real-time tracking map for COVID-19 patient or contact-persons •Scatter contact-persons’ mobility patterns •Spatial modelling of the affected populace using GPS coordinates •Track COVID-19 patients and contact-persons’ activities
Big data	•Be connected to national health information systems (HIS) and store data (mobility patterns) on a real-time basis for further analysis. This helps health policymakers to effective monitor COVID-19 and allocation of resources •Raise awareness, education and communication •Support video conferencing activities
Blockchain technology	•Authenticate and validate COVID-19 patients before the provision of counselling services and administering patients’ medication in quarantine facilities •Encrypt health data as it moves from one node to the other in a peer-to-peer architecture
5G Technology	•Increase bandwidth size, perceived quality of service and data transfer rate to ensure real-time access to data •Facilitates teleconsultation between healthcare professionals and COVID-19 patients and contact-persons