A TYNESIDE company is helping map the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak with the launch of a new digital tool.
After news of two confirmed cases in the North East hit the headlines last week, shipping insurance specialist North has unveiled new software that will help ship owners and operators track the spread of the virus.
The quayside headquartered North P&I Club has developed its MyGlobeView platform – an interactive map which the firm’s customers use to identify commercial risks and physical threats to shipping around the world – so that it now can provide live updates as to the number of confirmed cases of the virus, countries at risk and advise on what to look out for.
The software, which sources its data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other leading sources, can assist ships with chartering, operations and help prepare staff for what to expect when arriving in port.
Simon MacLeod, North deputy director – loss prevention, said: “We are committed to ensuring that our ship owner members have easy access to up-to-date advice and guidance to operate safely. So, we take outbreaks like the Coronavirus very seriously and have acted quickly to release this latest update to our MyGlobeView platform.
“As well as receiving information from the WHO, John Hopkins University and other organisations tracking the virus, we also have a huge network of contacts in ports across the world, who are updating us with local information as the infection spreads. This means the software is as up to date and informative as possible.”
The Coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China at the end of 2019, has so far seen more than 17,000 people infected across China, Europe, North America and the UK – including two confirmed cases in the North East. 361 people have died so far, all in China.
