Vitiprints has secured a contract from Uvukile Medical and Surgical Supplies to deliver 60 million Viracide Masks to South Africa. These South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)-approved masks have an antiviral and antibacterial coating designed to deactivate Covid-19 upon contact. According to the company, the coating is capable of deactivating 99.97% of SARS-CoV-2 and 99% of Human Coronavirus (229E) in under one minute of contact thereby reducing transmission of the disease.
US-based molecular diagnostics company Cepheid has said that its PCRplus-based Xpert coronavirus tests are expected to detect the new Covid-19 variant Omicron. An in-silico (computer-based) analysis found that the company’s Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2, Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2/Flu/RSV, and Xpert Xpress CoV-2/Flu/RSV plus tests are apparently unaffected by the Omicron variant. The tests are designed to target multiple genes to ensure accurate virus detection.
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A team of researchers at Nagourney Cancer Institute in the US and Metabolomycs, INC have announced that a metabolism-based blood test at the time of diagnosis can help in predicting Covid-19 related illness severity and fatality risks. The findings are based on a study that included 82 patients with RT-PCR confirmed Covid-19. The blood samples obtained from these patients were assessed for biochemical composition using quantitative mass spectrometry to quantify metabolites. According to the investigators, these metabolic signatures can help in determining the severity of Covid-19 infection.
