There are a number of technologies being used in the fight against the Wuhan coronavirus, also known as COVD-19. This virus probably originated in the wet markets in Wuhan, China before spreading across the country and eventually to the world as millions traveled for the Chinese Lunar Holiday. Let’s look at some of the latest technologies being used in the coronavirus fight.
Wireless, Wearable Temperature Sensors
Wearable temperature sensors have a number of benefits over the traditional methods of taking someone’s temperature. It allows monitors to track someone’s temperature without coming into physical contact with them, and it provides continuous temperature monitoring. Wireless temperature sensors can relay that information to a central console, notifying managers or nurses when someone’s temperature spikes or slowly rises until it hits a set threshold. Healthcare providers no longer have to check the temperature of patients every few hours. Patients benefit from more rapid responses to significant changes in their condition. This is why the wearable temperature sensor for healthcare monitoring will become a routine tool in healthcare facilities after the coronavirus crisis is over. Furthermore, these sensors may be used outside of the hospital, as well. They might be used to monitor construction workers and athletes for heat stroke.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has come to the forefront during the Wuhan coronavirus crisis. BlueDot identified a likely epidemic forming in Wuhan days before China admitted it had one. Big Data was used to genetically sequence the COVID-19 virus in record time. Open source projects sharing data from around the world allowed us to not only sequence the main strain but identify the newly emerging variants of the latest Chinese coronavirus. AI is being used to track the spread of the disease, the success of various treatment methods and determine what factors make people vulnerable or at less risk to the novel disease. Machine learning is being used to identify those who have antibodies that can be used to fight the disease.
Telemedicine
The government ordered a halt to elective healthcare procedures. Annual physical exams, hip replacements and chemotherapy treatments are all on hold. The goal was to free up healthcare facilities and supplies for the expected surge in pandemic patients. Fortunately, the coronavirus nowhere near as deadly as projected; a majority of patients are asymptomatic. However, healthcare facilities are slow to reopen their cancer and surgical wards. Yet patients still require medical care, whether it is a patient asking for advice on chronic pain or a panicked parent with a sick child. This is why telemedicine has exploded in recent weeks.
Patients may call in to the doctor via a video conferencing app or website. They don’t have to leave their home. Healthcare providers can consult with patients without asking them to risk contracting a new infection. Telemedicine will become widely accepted after the coronavirus pandemic is over, since it saves everyone time and money. Patients in remote areas, lacking transportation or are simply difficult to transport will enjoy more regular checkups and check-ins with healthcare providers. Doctors can see more patients in a day, because they don’t have to sterilize rooms and can quickly fill in empty slots in their schedule. President Trump authorizing full reimbursement under Medicare for telemedicine consultations will lead many doctors to adopt it, as well. He also changed the rules to say they could visit any doctors via videoconference or phone at no additional cost, giving patients a financial incentive to do so.
