Big data has proven very useful in supporting epidemic control. In Guiyang, China, teachers are utilising a big data platform to monitor the physical conditions of their students. The province has made considerable efforts to boost the big data industry over the years.

With the impacts of Covid-19, The Guiyang Education Bureau has created an epidemic control big data system which integrated data sets of local schools, enabling the authorities to have a clear representation of the situation in real time. Previous to this system, completing online forms would involve lots of manual effort and create a certain level of delay. The new large-scale data gathering system instantly monitors students and identifies potentially infected individuals.

Real-time information allows health-care workers to create and deliver effective pandemic prevention plans. Recent reports have shown a decline in confirmed cases and the overall spread of the infection in the region has virtually diminished.

Aside from the epidemic control of Covid-19, poverty alleviation is the other core mission of Guiyang. National policy has stated that 2020 is the deadline for eradicating poverty in rural areas and removing regional poverty in China. The pandemic has created various challenges for poverty alleviation, with many businesses and production sites being forced to close due to preventative measures. Nevertheless, the nation is focused on achieving this goal of poverty alleviation.

Guiyang is implementing big data to generate insights and support the movement of socially deprived out of poverty. Certain businesses are utilising data-focused systems to enhance productivity and overall profitability. The resulting benefits of revenue growth have moved more local people out of poverty. Using innovative technology such as IoT devices have improved business efficiency and generated important data to support productivity. Data science creates higher levels of efficiency for businesses and greater revenue for local people.

In the last few years, Guiyang has promoted the implementation of big data into agriculture and supports the deployment of IoT. Moving towards smart agriculture, the government has shown its support towards improving the infrastructure and expanding the talent pool. Recent findings indicate that the disposable income per capita for rural residents is continuing to increase.

Moving into the second half of 2020, the deadline for achieving poverty alleviation is nearing. With poverty continuing to be a focus, China is also tackling the unprecedented challenge of Covid-19. Equipped with big data, regions like Guiyang must be capable of facing two battles involving epidemic control and poverty alleviation.