Automated detection of airborne SARS-CoV-2
Lead Participant:
KROMEK LIMITED
Abstract
The World Health Organisation has identified testing for the virus and tracing the contacts of those positive cases as critical to the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. The NHS Test & Trace system is a key tool to minimise the transmission of COVID in the population, and is critical to re-opening the economy. The current system receives information on people who have tested positive, and attempts to trace other people they have come into contact with by determining the places they have visited whilst they are likely to have been contagious. This method relies on three key steps:
1.One person displaying symptoms of COVID, and returning a positive test
2.The positive test being reported to the Test & Trace system
3.Accurate and thorough determination of the places they have been
This can lead to weaknesses in the system however, as it will not track asymptomatic carriers, relies on the individual to report, and also their recollection of their movements.
We propose a detect and deter technology which will augment the Test & Trace system by, instead of solely testing individuals, additionally screening for airborne viruses at strategic locations. In addition to allowing tracking of individuals, it will allow added protection for premises.
Kromek have developed a bacterial pathogen detector which automatically samples the air collected from a mobile unit as it travels across a city and uses next generation genetic sequencing to identify potential threats. We propose a project to add viral detection to the technology to create a proactive and automatic tool which can detect when an area has high airborne levels of the virus, to enable more effective Test & Trace. It will also massively reduce the time needed to alert Test & Trace to a potential spread as Test & Trace can be alerted within 2.5 hours of the virus being detected within the specified location, rather than following a positive test which can be up to a week after taking the test.
We propose an 18 month project, which will see devices installed and trialled at key locations within 12 months.
1.One person displaying symptoms of COVID, and returning a positive test
2.The positive test being reported to the Test & Trace system
3.Accurate and thorough determination of the places they have been
This can lead to weaknesses in the system however, as it will not track asymptomatic carriers, relies on the individual to report, and also their recollection of their movements.
We propose a detect and deter technology which will augment the Test & Trace system by, instead of solely testing individuals, additionally screening for airborne viruses at strategic locations. In addition to allowing tracking of individuals, it will allow added protection for premises.
Kromek have developed a bacterial pathogen detector which automatically samples the air collected from a mobile unit as it travels across a city and uses next generation genetic sequencing to identify potential threats. We propose a project to add viral detection to the technology to create a proactive and automatic tool which can detect when an area has high airborne levels of the virus, to enable more effective Test & Trace. It will also massively reduce the time needed to alert Test & Trace to a potential spread as Test & Trace can be alerted within 2.5 hours of the virus being detected within the specified location, rather than following a positive test which can be up to a week after taking the test.
We propose an 18 month project, which will see devices installed and trialled at key locations within 12 months.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| KROMEK LIMITED | £1,275,358 | £ 765,215 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Ian Baistow (Project Manager) |