NYSOFA launches online tool to help older New Yorkers, high-risk individuals tackle Covid-19

The New York State Office for the Aging, in partnership with BellAge, Inc., and the Association on Aging in New York, has launched CV19 CheckUp in New York State.

While disclosing this on Monday September 21, 2020, NYSOFA Acting Director, Greg Olsen, stated that the initiative is a free, anonymous, personalized online tool that evaluates an individual’s risks associated with COVID-19 based on their life situation and individual behavior.

Olsen stated that the program will provide and recommend resources to reduce those risks.

“There has been a lot of misinformation about COVID-19 and the risks associated with contracting and spreading the virus,” said Olsen.

“This tool, which we will make available to all New Yorkers, helps individuals understand their risk based on their life situation and personal behavior and offers recommendations to reduce those risks while also connecting people to services, if needed,” he added.

The tool was developed by BellAge to help people be safer, healthier, and ensure their individual needs are met during the pandemic.

CV19 CheckUp fills a critical need for a comprehensive resource that educates, advises, and empowers individuals to help protect themselves from COVID-19.

CV19 CheckUp employs artificial intelligence to analyze data each person provides by completing an online questionnaire.

It is designed for those who are considered high risk, including older adults, low income individuals, ethnic and racial minorities, and LGBTQ communities.

The tool’s algorithms are driven by science and medicine, using data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Upon completion of the anonymous questionnaire, CV19 CheckUp immediately delivers a personalized report.

The report answers questions on how likely to get COVID-19 or spread it to others, how severe it would likely be if one contract Covid-19 and the steps to take to reduce the risks of getting COVID-19.

The individualized approach that defines CV19 CheckUp will deliver much needed support to those who are hardest hit by COVID-19, including the more than 4.3 million New Yorkers age 60 and older, as well as those with underlying health conditions and/or compromised immune systems.

The CDC has described these people as being at higher risk of severe or fatal consequences if they are infected with COVID-19.

Jim Firman, Chief Innovation Officer, BellAge, Inc., said, “CV19 CheckUp was developed to fill an urgent public need.

“Our team realized that although there are many resources with information about the virus, all of them require a lot of effort by the user.”

He added that the average person has to spend considerable time on numerous websites, digging through pages of information looking for answers that are relevant to their specific situation.

“CV19 CheckUp does the work for them. We developed a hyper-personalized tool that makes it easy for anyone to understand their level of risk and take steps to reduce those risks,” he added.

Becky Preve, Executive Director, Association on Aging in New York said, “The ability to provide this tool to older New Yorkers, their families, and caregivers will ensure accurate information and screening of those at risk.

“We are extremely excited for this partnership, and for our network to continue to provide such vital services to New York State.”