New kit can detect Covid-19 in 10 mins: Indian researchers

An Indian government-run institute for medical sciences and technology claims to have developed a diagnostic kit for Covid-19 which can detect the contagion in 10 minutes.

A total of 30 samples can be tested in a single batch in a single machine using the newly developed kit, thus allowing rapid testing of samples at a low cost, reports our New Delhi correspondent quoting Swapna Vamadevan, PRO of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Kerala.

The confirmatory kit developed in three weeks could solve India's urgent need for rapid testing, the public relation official also said.

The coronavirus detection kit has been transferred to machine industry company HMT Machine Tools in Kerala's Ernakulam, the official said.

SCTIMST also brought out a ultra violet-based facemask disposal bin which can be used by health workers in hospitals and in public places for decontamination of used face masks, covers and shields.

The Institute also developed a superabsorbent material for solidification of liquid respiratory and other bodily fluids and disinfection for safe management of infected respiratory secretions. They also came up with a disinfecting barrier-examination booth for examining Covid-19 patients.

The superabsorbent material reduces the risk for the hospital staff, the need for personnel for disinfecting and cleaning the bottles and canisters for reusing them and makes the disposal safer and easier.

Meanwhile, Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO), Chandigarh, said it has developed a technology for effective disinfection and sanitisation to fight corona pandemic and transferred the technology to a Nagpur-based company for commercialised production.

This technology has been found very efficient and effective to stop the spread of coronavirus and pathogens, say CSIR-CSIO scientists.