New innovations help protect frontliners against COVID-19

Enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) is in its 20th day today with creative Malaysians continuing to come up with various innovations to facilitate the frontliners in combatting the spread of COVID-19.

A doctor in Kuantan has produced a 'I3S Cubicle' that is capable of protecting healthcare personnel from viral infection while screening patients.

The cubicle , which only took a day to build, was installed in front of the emergency unit of Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital (HTAA) last Sunday.

Prior to that, a consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Prof Dr Firdaus Hariri, 42, has developed an easy-to-use intubation box for free distribution at public hospitals and clinics across the country.

The intubation protection boxes are made using transparent acrylic can function as a shield for frontline medical personnel when performing intubation procedures for COVID-19 patients.

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has produced 10 units of the 'UTM Shield Automated Disinfection Chambers for use by the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB).

The innovation, using motion sensor technology and fluid mechanics, consisting of pumps and spray systems, was a collaboration of researchers and students of the School of Biomedical Engineering and Health Science.

It is light, portable and easy to use, and the disinfection chamber functions automatically and is capable of disinfecting 99 per cent of an individual's body.

Malaysia will also be getting a new antigen rapid test kit from South Korea today for verification by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on its accuracy and sensitivity.

According to Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the ministry would consider purchasing the kit if it meets the criteria.

A total of 3,662 COVID-19 positive cases were recorded as of noon yesterday. The death toll was 61 cases, which accounted for 1.67 percent of the total number of cases in the country.

-- BERNAMA