COVID-19 Response

Schools Turn to Tech for Return-to-Campus Health Checks

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 08/26/20

Three private schools in the San Diego area are working with a company to do regular technology-based health checks of students, faculty and staff as part of their return-to-campus plans. Francis Parker School, San Diego Jewish Academy and Santa Fe Christian Schools have contracted with emocha, which produces software to make sure people take their prescription medicine.

emocha's "return-to-learn" program is a mobile application that uses short, asynchronous virtual check-ins to identify, track and manage symptoms of COVID-19. The schools are using the program to help resume classes in person this fall.

The app guides users through tracking symptoms and doing temperature readings. It will also offer links to school resources and display a color-coded digital badge indicating the user's health status for entry onto campus. For people without smartphones, emocha has developed on-site kiosks and web-based check-in forms.

Besides its use by schools, the company's service is also used for remote symptom monitoring for exposed healthcare professionals at hospitals and return-to-work coverage for businesses.