As soon as a patient received a positive result for Covid-19, they are subjected to strict monitoring. Now, this monitoring can take place via smartphones.

2,843 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Luxembourg so far.

The Ministry of Health has been closely monitoring these patients, alongside their GP, and now an app can help.

Fred Entringer, an employee at Esch-sur-Alzette's Kulturfabrik, was diagnosed with coronavirus a week ago. The 44 year old has been self-isolating at home alone, with his dog, but said he did not feel abandoned by the authorities. Following his diagnosis, he received a call from the Ministry of Health, with support and instructions. He also received a link to install the Maela app on his phone so he could report his symptoms as the virus progressed.

The app, which originated in France, was adapted for the Luxembourgish system a week ago. For patients who have received a positive diagnosis, but do not need to be hospitalised, this app has been proposed to help monitor their conditions.

Jean-Claude Schmit, director at the Ministry of Health, explained patients could answer questions on their condition twice a day via the app, reporting their symptoms and the severity thereof, to complete a full evaluation of their health. Depending on their answers, the app will tell patients whether they are fine as they are, or if they need to pay attention and seek medical assistance.

The Ministry can access the information input via the app and can therefore contact patients if required.

For patients who do not wish to use the app, the Ministry of Health carries out regular checks as a matter of course, calling on day one following the diagnosis, then on days three and seven. Patients are then contacted again after two weeks to check on their condition.

Entringer said he was impressed with the support he had received, explaining he also received a corona-kit in the post.

The kit contains disinfectant, a packet of face masks, a letter with instructions and rules on self-isolation, and a leaflet in five languages: Luxembourgish, French, German, English and Portuguese.

Brazilian by birth, Entringer said the government's efforts to communicate in a number of languages during the crisis are to be lauded. Those in his home country could only dream of such support, he added.