The past decade has seen the development of various digital technologies that can be used to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. These technologies include the Internet of Things (IoT), big-data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain. These technologies are highly inter-related, with IoT facilitating real-time data collection, which can be used by AI and deep learning systems to understand healthcare trends, model risk associations, and predict outcomes. Blockchain technology enhances data security and traceability. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 has posed a significant global health crisis. While the mortality rate is lower than initially thought, the virus is more contagious. Traditional public-health measures may not be effective in tackling the scale of the outbreak. Digital technologies can be used to enhance public-health strategies for monitoring, surveillance, detection, and prevention of COVID-19, as well as mitigating its impact on healthcare. IoT provides a platform for public-health agencies to monitor the pandemic. Big data can be used for modeling studies of viral activity and guiding healthcare policymakers. Digital technology can enhance public-health education and communication. AI and deep learning can enhance the detection and diagnosis of COVID-19, especially in areas with limited resources. AI algorithms can help triage patients into different groups based on the severity of their condition. Digital technology can also be used to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare. Virtual clinics can be set up through telemedicine consultations. AI-based triage systems can alleviate the clinical load of physicians. Blockchain can be used to ensure timely delivery of medications. In summary, while traditional public-health measures are still important, digital technologies can be used to enhance and augment these strategies. The successful application of digital technology in tackling a major global public-health challenge in 2020 will likely increase public and governmental acceptance of such technologies for other areas of healthcare.The past decade has seen the development of various digital technologies that can be used to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. These technologies include the Internet of Things (IoT), big-data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain. These technologies are highly inter-related, with IoT facilitating real-time data collection, which can be used by AI and deep learning systems to understand healthcare trends, model risk associations, and predict outcomes. Blockchain technology enhances data security and traceability. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 has posed a significant global health crisis. While the mortality rate is lower than initially thought, the virus is more contagious. Traditional public-health measures may not be effective in tackling the scale of the outbreak. Digital technologies can be used to enhance public-health strategies for monitoring, surveillance, detection, and prevention of COVID-19, as well as mitigating its impact on healthcare. IoT provides a platform for public-health agencies to monitor the pandemic. Big data can be used for modeling studies of viral activity and guiding healthcare policymakers. Digital technology can enhance public-health education and communication. AI and deep learning can enhance the detection and diagnosis of COVID-19, especially in areas with limited resources. AI algorithms can help triage patients into different groups based on the severity of their condition. Digital technology can also be used to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare. Virtual clinics can be set up through telemedicine consultations. AI-based triage systems can alleviate the clinical load of physicians. Blockchain can be used to ensure timely delivery of medications. In summary, while traditional public-health measures are still important, digital technologies can be used to enhance and augment these strategies. The successful application of digital technology in tackling a major global public-health challenge in 2020 will likely increase public and governmental acceptance of such technologies for other areas of healthcare.