New “Saliva Test” To Detect Coronavirus Instantly
European photonics scientists are developing an ultrasensitive laser sensor that detects coronavirus at the earliest point of infection from a saliva or nasal swab in minutes.
Responding to the European Commission’s Express Calls to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, photonics scientists are developing a new rapid, non-invasive “optical biosensor” demonstrator that will detect COVID-19 in humans as soon as it is present in the body.
Using photonics – technology that manipulates light – the ultrasensitive demonstrator could detect “day 1” infections on patients who have a low viral load, representing a breakthrough in tackling the coronavirus pandemic.
With the ability to diagnose in real-time with high specificity from a low concentration sample, the sensor is much more reliable than the coronavirus rapid-test, “finger-prick” kit which detects if a person has had the coronavirus before and has since recovered.
Looking at tiny molecules, the new point-of-care detector examines virus antigens using miniaturized chips – or “nanophotonic biosensors” – from a simple nasal or saliva swab.
Once a sample is prepared and is in place, the device confirms a positive or negative for coronavirus instantaneously. However, allowing for preparation time and analysis, a result – from sample to diagnosis – may take up to 30 minutes.
Having already created six working laboratory demonstrators for other applications, the research team says the technology still needs further adaptation and testing but could be available in a year at the latest. […]
Technology Networks
AI to Educate the Public About COVID-19
[Global Health] organizations have been questioned as to whether or not they have been doing a good job in giving out proper information and if they are even equipped to handle this type of crisis. However, with the help of conversational artificial intelligence (AI), everyone is hoping that they could improve their responsiveness using the technology.
With the coronavirus spreading rapidly worldwide, this requires global health organizations to do their job and try to push information properly and swiftly to a massive population–whether it be through traditional media, the web, SMS, or email.
Though this information quickly goes out of date and there is no way for the public to get real-time and personalized updates, the responsibility falls on human agents that use physical call centers, voice, or chat to try and respond to the issues.
The Next Web has said that “Given the nature of how COVID-19 spreads from person to person, it has become a challenge for employees to continue coming into the call centers since they would then be violating the social distancing guidelines, and as a result, run the risk of contracting and spreading the virus to those they come in contact with. “
Because of the crisis, call centers have witnessed a massive cutback and devaluation in the number of their employees that are ready to assist callers with COVID-19. This also means that it has also affected emergency response call centers.
A handful of government health organizations have now looked to AI as an alternative solution to the outpour of calls from the public, making sure that these AIs provide personal engagement. […]
TechTimes
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