Trial of coronavirus app Koronavilkku continues

A mobile app designed to support the prevention of chains of coronavirus infection has been named Koronavilkku, said the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in a press release.

The name was selected from among several proposals.

“We coined the name Koronavilkku together, reflecting the way the app itself was created in cooperation. The name was selected for its clarity and familiarity,” said Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Communications Unit Director Vivikka Richt.

The app will allow people to participate in preventing the spread of the virus and to protect their own and their loved ones’ health. Through the app, people exposed to the virus can be reached and infection chains can be stopped faster.

Trial use of the app began on Tuesday, 4 August and will continue until the end of this week.

"Trial use ensures that all components of the app work together. The phones of test users in the Pirkanmaa Hospital District and the City of Helsinki have collected data on encounters. Test users have reported imaginary infections using the app, and the app has given other users notifications of potential exposure to the coronavirus,” said THL Information Services Director Aleksi Yrttiaho, adding that the final element of the system, which is a user interface for professionals, will become available this week.

Information-dissemination events about the app were organised for social welfare and healthcare professionals jointly by the software company Solita, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and SoteDigi.

“So far, less than 500 people have participated in them. Actual training for professionals will start next week,” said Yrttiaho.

The general deployment of Koronavilkku is to take place in early September. At that point, anyone will be able to download this free app to their phone. Finnish and Swedish versions of the app will become available first. An English version will be published later in the autumn.

The app will be used on a voluntary basis, but the more people download it, the more helpful it will be.

The app was implemented by Solita. In addition to the THL, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, Kela, and SoteDigi Oy took part in its development.