China has about 1.6 billion mobile phones in use, more than its entire population. Using big data to enhance the traceability and monitoring of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is the first large-scale practice of telecom big data analysis, and a groundbreaking task requiring high precision.

Big data, featuring network and scale effects has become a solid pillar of targeted measures in the fight against the COVID-19. 

Han Xia, Director-General of the information and communication administration of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), suggested building up a comprehensive telecom big data analysis platform to strengthen the ability of data sharing and analysis at the beginning of the battle against the epidemic.

Given Han and her team's efforts, a national telecom big data analysis platform was developed from nothing within just one month. At present, a national platform and 23 provincial platforms have been completed at extraordinary speed and put into operation, providing efficient and powerful technical support for big data analysis.

Han has led her teammates forward in exploring these issues, continuously summing up experience and fine-tuning solutions. Over the past two months, the administration has completed more than 300 data analyses of various types, along with more than 60 daily reports and related special reports to serve nationwide joint epidemic prevention and control.

For Han, it has become routine to attend working meetings on epidemic prevention and control at all levels and coordinate with relevant departments. She has made unremitting efforts to put data support services in place. Bringing the strength of a special team to the COVID-19 response, Han also intensifies the cooperation between industries to ensure smooth progress in data reporting.

"A little more comprehensive thinking and a little more in-depth data mining will provide stronger support for epidemic prevention and control," Han said, noting that their duties are of great importance to the decision-making process of the government and they have to make sure the reports are true and accurate.  

According to Han, data analysis covers tracking confirmed and suspected cases as well as their close contacts, further monitoring such key areas as Wuhan, the former epicenter of the outbreak in China, Central China's Hubei Province and Beijing, and getting information from towns, villages and communities. Since January 23, Han's team has analyzed millions of messages and provided 24 batches of data for the joint prevention and control mechanism at national and regional levels.

In the current pandemic situation of the world, data analysis has focused more on the mobility of people returning to work in key cities and entry and exit management. Han and her team together with the Customs will give full play to big data in a bid to further manage and monitor people entering the country and prevent cross-border transmission.

"We will fight until we win the complete victory of the anti-COVID-19 battle," Han said. 

(Source: China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)