Rapid COVID Testing With Virolens

//Pandemic Anniversary//

COVID-19, a virus that has kept its vice grip on society for months. With winter approaching, the possibility of further lockdowns, curfews and other measures are on the horizon. It truly sucks. Vaccines, testing and social distancing are being held as the key components to managing the pandemic along with tacking tracing. Testing has been an interesting topic over the past few months as we see novel forms of testing emerge. Breathalysing for COVID has been an interesting avenue and it seems before a vaccine, nations are pushing towards efficient means of testing with volume to bolster strategic approach to containing the virus.

//Virolens Detection//

Testing means that take over from the current PCR standard needs to be faster and cheaper with sufficient results that are provide accuracy. Hong Kong recently attempted a lengthy mass testing in an effort to gain a grip over their returning wave. For larger nations such as the United Kingdom, similar sentiments are being voiced from the government with their ‘Moon Shot’ project that aims to apply mass testing and deliver results within minutes as opposed to hours after sending samples off to a laboratory. News over the past few days comes in the way of an alternative means of testing that delivers results in mere seconds. Major airport hub, Heathrow, have introduced a new screening device named Virolens. A portable screening device developed by iAbra that makes use of holographic imagery of saliva samples and relies on AI to match samples with specific characteristics that are indicative of infection.

//Testing All Over//

Virolens technology is rapid, cheaper and perhaps even provides greater accuracy to viral detection. If the government in the UK are to support these new systems, it could be the major breakthrough of viral testing that nations need to provide mass testing all over the country. It may also revitalise the travel industry if passengers are able to gain access to instant testing results that would clear them for their journeys. If Virolens sees a successful clinical trial other nations may adapt this rapid low-cost testing solution and there may be other means that achieve similar results with additional benefits. After months of the virus persisting, we are at least seeing some positive pieces of medical technology come with means to scale, we now wait to see if governments of the world certify and agree or will a complete reverse happen in a few months in strategy. We shall see.

Sources
https://www.businesscloud.co.uk/news/heathrow-ceo-fast-track-20-second-covid-test/