COVID Symptom Study App FAQ - Stand Up To Cancer

COVID Symptom Study App FAQ

About the COVID Symptom Study App

Who created the COVID Symptom Study app?

The COVID Symptom Study, formerly known as COVID Symptom Tracker, was created by doctors and scientists at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthMass General Cancer CenterKing’s College London and Stanford University School of Medicine, working in partnership with ZOE – a health science company. The app was developed in the United Kingdom, with more than 2 million U.K. downloads, and launched in the United States on March 30, 2020.

The app will be used to study the symptoms of COVID-19 and track the spread of this virus. This research is led by Prof. Tim Spector, Professor of genetic epidemiology at King’s College London and director of TwinsUK; Prof. Andrew Chan, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Chief of the Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit at Mass General Cancer Center, a physician-epidemiologist, and leader of the SU2C Gastric Cancer Research Team; and Prof. Christopher Gardner, Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine at Stanford University Prevention Research Center.

What is the aim of the research?

This research aims to help scientists understand COVID-19, with the following specific aims:

  • Better understand the symptoms of COVID-19;
  • Understand how fast the virus is spreading in your area;
  • Identify high-risk areas in the country;
  • Identify who is most at risk by better understanding symptoms linked to health conditions;
  • Identify the exposure of healthcare workers to COVID-19.

In the future, the goal is for this data to be used to help health services support sick individuals. This app is not intended to be a diagnostic tool. For official advice about the coronavirus, please visit the CDC website.

Is this app only for those who are diagnosed with or are suspected of having COVID-19?

The COVID Symptom Study app is not just for those who are sick or suspect they have COVID-19. Regardless of health condition, you can use the app to track your health. Varied data is critical as it allows researchers to see a broader picture of public health and to more accurately analyze which populations are more susceptible to COVID-19.

Use of Data

Who will be using my data?

The COVID Symptom Study app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app, including the data. For information regarding the use of your data, please visit Zoe Global’s privacy policy here.

How will my data be protected?

The COVID Symptom Study app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. For information regarding data security, please visit Zoe Global’s privacy policy here.

Will someone make money off my data?

No. This is a not-for-profit initiative. The app is and always will be free. The data you provide cannot be used for commercial purposes. While Zoe Global Limited, the creator and operator of the app, is a commercial entity, this app was built for free to support Mass General Cancer Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Stanford University and King’s College London in their vital coronavirus research.

Grants and donations may be sought in the future, to cover the costs of the service and so the app can be rolled out to the many countries who have been requesting it.

How can I delete my data?

The COVID Symptom Study app is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. If you would like to stop your personal data from being processed, you can email Zoe Global Limited at leavecovidtracking-us@joinzoe.com.

There are other symptom trackers – are you taking steps to standardize and share data?

The creators of the app are working with researchers around the world, and this app reflects input from many countries. They expect the questions asked to evolve as more is learned about the virus. King’s College London will be working closely with Mass General Cancer Center and Stanford University to coordinate data sharing with researchers and physicians in the U.K., U.S. and other countries to try and learn as fast as possible.

How long will my data be used for?

The COVID Symptom Study app is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. At this time, Zoe Global Limited has no particular time limit on the storage of your sensitive personal data, but it will be kept under regular review to ensure that it is not kept longer than is necessary. For information regarding use of data, please visit Zoe Global’s privacy policy here.

Tracking Symptoms

My symptom isn’t listed – can I add it?

Yes, you may now list additional symptoms. When you track your symptoms, you will now see a field at the end of the questionnaire that reads: “Are there other important symptoms you want to share with us?”

This app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. For updates on the app, please click here for more information.

Can I report symptoms on behalf of someone else, like my family?

Yes, you may now report symptoms on behalf of someone else. Previous versions of the app did not allow for this. This app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. For updates on the app, please click here for more information.

I may have had COVID-19 already – can I report my history of symptoms?

This functionality is currently being worked on. We appreciate your patience. This app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is in not connected to the operation or use of the app. For updates on the app, please click here for more information.

I would like to share my symptoms with relatives so they know if I get sick – can I do that?

Sharing your symptoms with others is not currently possible. This feature may be available in the future. This app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. For updates on the app, please click here for more information.

How can I set a daily reminder to log my symptoms?

The app will send you a notification towards the end of each day if you haven’t reported how you are feeling that day, provided that you have notifications enabled in your phone settings. This app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. For updates on the app, please click please click here for more information.

App Features and Technical Difficulties

I am having trouble creating an account, installing the app, or am having another technical issue.

The COVID Symptom Study app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. Please visit Zoe Global’s official COVID Symptom Study Frequently Asked Questions page for assistance. If your question isn’t listed or you are still experiencing difficulties, please contact Zoe Global at covidtrackingquestions-us@joinzoe.com.

I’ve spotted a bug, or would like to suggest a feature – where should I send it?

The COVID Symptom Study app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. Feedback about the app is welcomed in the relevant app store, or inquiries can be sent to Zoe Global at covidtrackingquestions-us@joinzoe.com. Please know that this is a not-for-profit app that was developed in a very short time; therefore, the creators have acknowledged there may be a bug or two.

Will there be a web-based version of the app for those without smartphones?

Although this is not currently available, the creators of the app intend to make this available in the future. They realize that it is important for those who do not have smartphones or are otherwise unable to use a mobile-based app. This app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. For updates on the app, please click here for more information.

Will this app be available for those with limited sight?

The creators of the app acknowledge that it fails to meet some accessibility standards. These issues are currently being resolved. The app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. For updates on the app, please click here for more information.

I’d like to see what symptoms are reported near me or across the country – how can I see what is going on?

This feature is not currently available, but may be available in the future. This app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. For updates on the app, please click here for more information.

Will the app be available outside the U.K. and U.S.?

The creators of the app hope it will be released in other regions in the near future.

This app was created and is operated by Zoe Global Limited and SU2C is not connected to the operation or use of the app. For updates on the app, please click here for more information.

If you are interested in supporting this or you have local language and development skills in your country, please email Zoe Global at research@joinzoe.com.

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