Even 5 months after detection of the first case in China, the Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread rapidly with now more than 3 million cases and 200,000+ deaths worldwide. As scientists continue to research a vaccine to combat this deadly virus there are many organisations, departments, corporations that have stepped forward with research-driven and technology-based initiatives to fight the pandemic. Complete Coverage: Coronavirus
Crux of the Matter
COVID INDIA SEVA Union Minister of Health Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched an interactive platform, ‘COVID INDIA SEVA‘ which is aimed at providing real-time solutions to COVID-19-related queries through its twitter handle which has trained experts who answer general queries regarding the pandemic.
Launched @CovidIndiaSeva to respond to citizens' queries in real time ❗️ Experts will share authoritative public health information reg #COVIDー19 swiftly at scale, helping to build a direct channel for communication with citizens. Post your queries!#CovidIndiaSeva @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/9dPKh9Qklc — Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) April 21, 2020
Corona Killer Drone CK100 Specially designed drones developed by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor of India are being used to support COVID-19 disinfection in Varanasi. Garuda Aerospace, a Chennai- based drone startup is working closely on-ground to provide disinfection service in large, crowded, vulnerable urban areas while reducing human contact to keep frontline workers safe. This is expected to be extended in other cities across India.
#IndiaFightsCoronavirus Corona Killer Drone CK 100 commenced disinfecting ops in public areas starting with Varanasi, which is to be extended to other cities. Developed by AGNi Mission and Invest India Business Platform, the specialised drones have been developed on PPP basis pic.twitter.com/gWzABr41JS — India In Osaka (@IndianConsOsaka) April 28, 2020
Foot-Operated Washing Stations Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Ladakh in order to implement the sanitation guidelines by the government has come up with a unique foot-operated washing station which is being installed in densely populated areas to encourage hygiene and sanitation. Such washing stations are also being developed by the Indian railways and installed in different cities as well.
Foot-operated Washing Station. Be Alert ! Be Aware !! Be Safe !! #HealthForAll #SwasthaBharat #CoronaOutbreak #Lockdown2 pic.twitter.com/6bkfarbgfU — All India Radio, Kolkata । আকাশবাণী কলকাতা (@AIRKolkata) April 28, 2020
Real-time PCR-based Molecular Diagnostic Kit Mylab Discovery Solutions in Pune have developed a real-time PCR-based molecular diagnostic kit that screens and detects COVID-19.
Maharashtra: Pune based Mylab Discovery Solutions Pvt Ltd has developed India's first indigenous #COVID19 testing kit that has been approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). A single kit costs Rs 80,000 & can test 100 patients. pic.twitter.com/Ng5b3wRHh5 — ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2020
DBT-BIRAC COVID-19 Research Consortium Call A research Consortium funded from DBT’s National Biopharma Mission has fast-tracked different stages of vaccine development. Serum Institute of India Private Limited (SIIPL) will be supported for Phase III human clinical trials study.
“We hope to start trials in India from May, with a few hundred patients, and expect to roll out the #vaccine by September–October, if the trials are successful," Serum Institute CEO and promoter Adar Poonawalla told TOI.#Covid19 https://t.co/sJupAdfPW5 — Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) April 27, 2020
Protein-enriched Biscuits & Tractor-Mounted Sanitizers In order to boost the immunity of the recovering coronavirus patients, the Mysuru-based CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute has produced 500 kgs of high-protein biscuits for the COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi. These biscuits contain 14% protein as compared to the usual ones which have around 8-9% protein. The recipe formulation for these biscuits is done by the scientists of CSIR-CFTRI Mysuru and are manufactured as per FSSAI regulations.
The Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, one of the institutions under the CSIR has developed a tractor-mounted sanitizing system that utilizes a 2000 to 5000 liters tank to spray about 22 liters of sanitizer per minute on roads. One full tank can sanitize a stretch of road about 75 km.
Today our #RoadSanitizationUnit was used in different key areas of #Durgapur city like @WBPolice station, @BigBazaar, @CityCenter, @DSPSAIL1 area to prevent #COVID19 expansion. @CSIR_IND @PIB_India @MoHFW_INDIA pic.twitter.com/pdPHhsq5dY — CSIR-CMERI #CSIRfightsCovid19 #StaySafe (@CSIR_CMERI) April 12, 2020
SAMPARC App SAMPARC, an acronym for Smart Automated Management of Patients and Risks is an app created in only 3 weeks by the DRDO’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) to track patients who are under quarantine. This app is now being used by state governments to enable AI-driven measures to control the spread of the virus.
#SAMPARC is a software that includes an #app that would be installed on the smart phones of the infected #covid19 patients, says @DRDO_Indiahttps://t.co/n85zAaepU6 via @ET_Government #AI — ETGovernment (@ET_Government) April 24, 2020
DRDO also introduced two products that can enhance the operations at public places during the pandemic. UV Sanitisation Box and Hand-held UV device & Automatic Mist-based Sanitizer Dispensing Unit. It has also come up with a kiosk that can help healthcare workers take samples from suspicious patients, without the need for PPE kits.
DRDO Introduces two new products to enable COVID-19 disinfection process https://t.co/Xa8qwFio2G #COVID19#SayNo2Panic#SayYes2Precautions#MoDAgainstCorona#StayHomeIndia#IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/UNKzRUOGit — ADG (M&C) DPR (@SpokespersonMoD) April 17, 2020
NAADI Platform by C-DAC NAADI: National Analytical Platform for Dealing with Intelligent Tracing, Tracking, and Containment of COVID-19 for infected persons and quarantined people. This platform offers comprehensive Multi-Level, Multi-modal and Multi-lingual Tracing, Tracking, and Containment of COVID-19 Quarantined/Under Observation/Infected Individuals. It also includes the nCov-Satark App for health agencies for violation detection based on location-based tracking (GPS) as well as Call Data Records (CDR) and Internet Protocol Data Records.
C-DAC’s data science tool to help trace contacts of #COVIDー19 patients C-DAC has prepared a data science-based tool to make easy the task of tracking the movements of Covid-19 patients or quarantined people across the country. Source: https://t.co/XMsmrBWjdC pic.twitter.com/Gb5XycouCO — C-DAC India (@cdacindia) April 2, 2020
Project Prabhat by HUL Hindustan Lever Limited is supporting hospitals in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Tamil Nadu by donating soaps, handwash, sanitizers, and bathroom cleaners along with health kit and hygiene products for patients, health officials, and low- income families. Project Prabhat is also donating food kits and hygiene products to 1,00,000 migrant labor families. To expand their reach they have partnered with Apollo Hospitals, State Bank of India, Oyo, Lemon Tree to create isolation facilities equipped with medical supervision.
Our #ProjectPrabhat Livelihood Centres have been working relentlessly to meet the demand for masks. In these continued efforts the Gandhidham & Chhindwara Centres have supplied over 1.55 lakh masks to local communities #COVID19 #HULStandsWithTheNation @CMOGuj @CMMadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/kspt8Nrzkc — Hindustan Unilever (@HUL_News) April 24, 2020
Mahindra Group The Mahindra Group is working on an automated version of the Bag Valve Mask ventilator (commonly known as Ambu bag). The sophisticated machines usually cost between 5 to 10 lakhs but this device will be an interim lifesaver with an estimated cost of only Rs.7500.
Update on the affordable Respirator which we hope will be invaluable in early & recovery stages of the illness.The team’s included several features such as variability controls, sensors & emergency shut-off based on advice from https://t.co/fPKr78ETvb on the packaging continues.. pic.twitter.com/jMnhf2VwDs — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 31, 2020
Curiopedia
Amidst growing hygiene concerns, many innovations are coming up with the usage of feet instead of hands. Some of them are foot-operated door openers, foot-operated sanitizer dispensers, arm-operated door handles, etc.
The new ICMR logo supplements the main logo of the Council which represents the lamp of knowledge with “Parikshakarino Hi Kushala Bhavanti”. This Sanskrit shloka means, “The physician who first examines the patient and then starts the treatment becomes successful.”.
A 21-year-old American student designed face masks for those who are deaf and cannot hear properly. Due to normal face masks, it becomes a challenge for them to communicate and hence Ashley Lawrence of Eastern Kentucky University designed special face masks for the differently-abled class of society.
Curated Coverage
Zee News – Bione launches rapid COVID-19 at-home screening test kit after ICMR approval
PIB – DRDO Introduces two new products to enable COVID-19 disinfection process
Vigyan Prasar – Researchers develop tractor-mounted sanitizing device
Manorama Online – DRDO’s AI brains launch SAMPARC App to track COVID-19 patients
Vigyan Prasar – CSIR-CFTRI’s protein-enriched biscuits reach COVID-19 patients
Mahindra Echo – Mahindra is Taking Action to Fight the Coronavirus
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