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Thailand produces new COVID-19 test kits

Thailand is now able to produce new COVID-19 test kits itself with RT-PCR, a standard laboratory technique recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Thailand produces new COVID-19 test kits ảnh 1Illustrative image (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand is now able to produce new COVID-19 test kitsitself with RT-PCR, a standard laboratory technique recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The test kits were developed by the cooperation of Siam Bioscience and theDepartment of Medical Sciences (DMSC), said Spokesman of the Centre forCOVID-19 Situation Administration Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESRI),Siam Bioscience, and DMSC have already delivered the first batch of 20,000 testkits to the Government.

This innovation can solve the shortage of test kits by lowering the cost ofproduction to only 1,500 baht (45 USD) each, whereas the imported ones may costapproximately 4,500 baht each.

Moreover, Siam Bioscience and DMSC are aiming to produce and deliver 100,000test kits to the Government within six months for distributing to 100 hospitalsnationwide.

Meanwhile, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) hasdebuted a robot to kill viruses using ultraviolet (UV) light.

"Germ Saber Robot" was jointly developed by the NSTDA's NationalSecurity and Dual-Use Technology Centre (NSD) and Chulalongkorn University'sInstitute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering.

NSD director Siwaruk Siwamongsatham said the robot can kill the virus thatcauses Covid-19 with UV light.

The robot can be used in germ-tainted locations and people must vacate the sitebefore the robot is operated to ensure they are not harmed by UV light, hesaid.

The sterilisation could take 15-30 minutes per spot with a radius of 1-2metres, he added.

Besides, the NSTDA and its partners launched an app to track people at risk ofcontracting the coronavirus, allowing them to self-assess their healthcondition.

Thailand has to date recorded 2,169 Covid-19 cases, including 23 deaths./.
VNA
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