What is the COVID-19 Virus?

First recognized in the city of Wuhan, the novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19 is a constituent of the family of coronaviruses, the pandemic which has taken the world on a toll! It can cause conditions like the common cold to potentially lethal ones like severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS.

China has confirmed human-to-human transference, akin to the flu, and hence its swift spread globally. This is more so because the outbreak happened during the Lunar New Year season when 3 billion trips are expected to be made.

Now that we have covered the basics, let us flip over how technology has been or can be utilized in the context of the identified the COVID-19 outbreak and help deal with even prevent future samples.

1. A.I. to identify the spread of an epidemic- Covid-19

At the beginning of the SARS expanse, China covered up the prevalence of the virus from both its citizens and the world. 

As a matter of fact, Toronto-based health detecting A.I. platform Bluedot beat both- the CDC and WHO to the act when sending warnings about the COVID-19 outbreak.

By going through piles of information about airline data, news reports, and reports of animal disease spread.

By having an A.I. sift via the data and make predictions that are cross-checked by specialists, relevant bodies can comprise such diseases before they even leave their origin source.

2. Monitoring interactive maps

The Center for Systems Science and Engineering – SCE, at Johns Hopkins University, formulated an online dashboard to track and visualize and track the reported cases on a daily time bar. The map shows new cases, active cases, confirmed deaths, and recoveries.

The dashboard is intended to offer the public with an understanding of the spread, situation as it unfolds, using transparent data references.

Information on U.S. cases is driven by the U.S. CDC, and all other country case statistics are taken from the corresponding regional health centers.

3. New tech for detecting faster

As mentioned in the introduction, technology has dramatically changed since the days of the SARS virus outbreak. For the current coronavirus spread, the culprit was recognized within a week from the public declaration, and the initial diagnostic test was developed shortly after that.

Scientists don’t need to cultivate an adequate amount of viruses before examining them anymore. Thanks to technological progress! Minute amounts of viral DNA can be identified directly from a patient’s spit or blood sample.

4. Genome sequencing to find potential vaccines

The COVID-19’s genome was completely sequenced by Chinese scientists in less than a month since the first case had been detected. Since the initial sequencing was conducted, almost two dozens more have been finished. 

In comparison, the SARS virus outbreak commenced around the end of 2002, and its entire genome was only seen in 2003 April. Thanks to a drive for international collaboration and advances in technology.

Indeed, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has assisted pharma companies with millions in finance to have a vaccine for stopping the virus ready for human testing in just 16 weeks. This process generally takes years to create. 

With such an ambitious aim/goal, the genome sequences will prove to be very valuable and effective. As we will be ready to sequence pathogens’ genome faster with swift changing technologies, the ratio of finding adequate therapies will also quicken up and help save more lives in the process.

5. Robots to the rescue

As it has been determined that the COVID-19 can spread from human to human, medical staff are at high risk of being infected.

Going further, drones for medical resources could also be utilized in similar settings to reach quarantined zones like the whole world currently is with medicines and supplies.

However, impervious to cross-infection are medical robots- These can be real game-changers in cases of viral outbreaks.

It might also consist of digital health technologies to help with faster, more connected diagnosis and treatment.

6. Reverse innovations

In any case/scenario, the management and prevention of such situations will mostly depend on professionals and international collaboration and professionals.

With the assistance of eventual treatment and containment of outbreaks can be run more efficiently. If you have come across other examples of technologies being used in the COVID-19 outbreak or think of others that could be of help, don’t hesitate to share them with us!

Thus, with the evolving technologies at a jet speed, all we can hope is the vaccination for this deadly virus come out soon and the world can be restored to its normalcy again.

Till then, Be Safe, Stay Home, Protect Yourselves and the surroundings.

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