Coronavirus: meet the UAE's 'virtual doctor' which assesses Covid-19 symptoms

The platform is part of the Ministry of Health and Prevention's as efforts to combat the spread of the pandemic

An abra driver wears protective gloves and a face mask in Dubai. Getty Images

A sign showing how to prevent infection is seen in Dubai. Getty Images

One of the staff member stands inside a Dhow Cruise which is closed as a preventive measure in Deira. Pawan Singh / The National

An empty restaurant is pictured outside Dubai Mall. Reuters

A picture taken on March 16, 2020 shows Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up in the colours of the Italian flag and "We are with you" message as a sign of solidarity with Italy. AFP

A view shows the Dubai mall almost empty of customers, as precaution amid the outbreak of coronavirus, in Dubai. Reuters

An empty beach in Dubai. EPA

People walk past shops in Dubai's Deira Souk on on March 15, 2020. AFP

Workers clean outside the Louvre Abu Dhabi on March 15, 2020. EPA

A man wearing a protective mask walks down the street in Dubai on March 16, 2020. AFP

A near-empty tourist boat crosses Dubai's marina on March 16, 2020. AFP

A man wears a protective mask at the shopping mall in Dubai. Reuters

A school gate is closed with a chain and lock in Dubai. AFP

Commuters wear protective masks on the metro in Dubai, March 12. Reuters

An attendant wears a protective face mask while using a fuel pump at an Eppco gas station in Dubai on March 10. Bloomberg

A member of cleaning staff disinfects a seat screen of an Emirates Airbus A380 on March 5. Reuters

A worker with a face mask disembarks from a bus at the Abu Dhabi Main Bus Terminal area on March 5. Victor Besa / The National

Commuters, some wearing protective face masks, ride the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg

A trader walks by beneath a stock display board at the Dubai Stock Exchange in the UAE on March 8. AFP

A traveller wears a mask at the Dubai International Airport on March 8. Reuters

A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, speaks on a mobile phone while riding the metro in Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg

A commuter, wearing a protective face mask, walks in Downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg

Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk in downtown Dubai, on March 5. Bloomberg

Commuters, wearing protective face masks, walk after exiting a metro station in downtown Dubai, March 5. Bloomberg

A commuter, wearing protective face mask, walks through a metro station in downtown Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg

Commuters wearing protective face masks use smartphones on the metro in Dubai on March 5. Bloomberg

UAE landmarks were lit up for in solidarity with China’s efforts to contain coronavirus, Covid-19 in March. Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to accelerate, according to officials. Wam

The UAE has enlisted a "virtual doctor" to assess potential cases of coronavirus and take the strain off medical services.

The Covid-19 Virtual Doctor is an assessment tool launched by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention as part of efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic.

The online bot asks users a total of five multiple choice questions, including the person's travel history, symptoms and if they have been in contact with someone who has been infected with the virus.

"Salam alaikum, I'm here to guide you through the Coronavirus Assessment Tool. If you are experiencing a life or limb-threatening emergency, call [998]. I'm not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a medical professional for serious symptoms or emergencies," the virtual doctor website tells users.

The foremost question posed is if a person has travelled to any of the high-risk countries, with multiple choices including China, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Japan, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the US, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iran.

There are follow-up questions asking details of symptoms the user might be experiencing, such as a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath.

Depending on the information, the virtual doctor gives two different answers.

First: "We would like to talk with you as soon as possible. Please call 998".

Second: "Dear patient, you have low risk for Covid-19. If you need further information please call the following number: 800-FLU [358]".

The UAE has provided several online tools for residents seeking coronavirus-related advice.

The "Doctor for Every Citizen" initiative by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) offers residents 24/7 consultations with doctors regarding Covid-19 concerns via video and voice calls.

To use the service, residents have to book an appointment on DHA’s hotline, 800 324, and download their mobile application.

Doctors with the DHA also answered coronavirus-related questions from the public during a live social media session in February.

The efforts were part of the "Sehatek", or your health, initiative which takes place each week on Instagram and Periscope.

This month, the Abu Dhabi Department of Health launched a website, www.doh.saal.ai, to keep residents informed about the virus pandemic. It includes interactive features, updates from official sources and answers to related queries.