Geography researchers from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (UI), who are members of the Expert and Research Team at the University of Indonesia (UI), have developed a WebGIS (Web Geographic Information System) portal, an online map.

This portal aims to assist the government in mapping the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The map can be accessed at https://qgiscloud.com/ardiansyah18/CORONA_INA_19032020/.

This WebGIS will be able to map the population infected with COVID-19, the distribution of locations of confirmed COVID-19 patients, and assist the government in mapping areas prone to new infection cases. The WebGIS portal can be easily accessed via computer or smartphone.

Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Abdul Haris, stated, “The spread of COVID-19 has become a global concern. Therefore, we are working to mobilize a team of UI Experts and Researchers to collaboratively develop an accurate map of the spread of COVID-19.”

This spatial analysis portal was initially developed by Ardiansyah, a UI researcher from the Department of Geography, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), and was then jointly developed by a team of researchers from the Faculty of Computer Science (Fasilkom), Faculty of Medicine (FK), Faculty of Public Health (FKM), and Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) under the coordination of the UI Directorate of Innovation and Science Techno Park.

The information contained in this portal relates to the distribution of locations of patients who have tested positive for COVID-19; Persons Under Surveillance (ODP), and Patients Under Surveillance (PDP).

This map portal also depicts three classes based on their vulnerability status: Low, Medium, and High. Areas classified as Highly Vulnerable (marked with red zones) are characterized by three factors: the number of patients residing in the area; the number and proximity of patients to public transportation facilities; and high population density.

A number of parameters taken into account in the WebGIS Map include the density of patients within a given area; the population density of each area; and the density of transportation systems (train stations, bus stops, terminals, and others).

Data for this online map portal is compiled from various sources, including local governments and institutions such as the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the Jakarta Regional Government, the West Java Regional Government, and others. This portal was refined with input from researchers from the Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia (FKUI), Faculty of Computer Science, and state-owned enterprise partners such as Telkom. Indonesia.

“In intensive discussions between UI and PT Telkom Indonesia, Telkom’s Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), and Research Division also expressed interest in collaborating and utilizing this spatial analysis component to complement the portal and information system they have developed separately. Going forward, it is hoped that Telkom’s big data, as Indonesia’s largest cellular service provider, can support data input for this portal and others that can help control the spread of the coronavirus,” said Vice Rector Haris.

It is hoped that this WebGIS Portal will be useful for policymakers, including the Regional Government, the Ministry of Health, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), and other ministries. This portal can also serve as input for the public to increase awareness and self-preventive measures in areas prone to COVID-19.