The US Food and Drug Administration has granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) to Illumina for the first Covid-19 diagnostic test that uses ‘next generation’ sequence technology. With this authorisation, the Illumina COVIDSeq Test can be used for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from respiratory specimens. Next generation sequencing is capable of providing information about the virus’ genomic sequence, which can be used for research.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU) School of Biomedical Engineering’s Dr Marshal and his team have developed an anti-microbial five-layered face mask. This mask can eliminate the pathogenic microorganisms that are trapped on the mask’s outer surface. This is expected to decrease the spread of secondary infections. The mask is made of many layers of ‘nanometal conjugated with protonated amine matrix’.

The Medicom Group has planned to open a second facility for mask production in France. This new facility is expected to address the increasing demand in Europe amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Medicom stated that it is continuing to invest to ensure nearness of mask production to end markets.

CELLUM BioMedical has announced the availability of specimen (RT-PCR) and serological antibody testing for Covid-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 to hospitals, healthcare organisations and businesses. This is expected to help the organisations reopen after the Covid-19 pandemic.