In this overview, Ocean Insight explores the optical sensing tools and techniques available for virus detection. Ocean Insight’s focus? Rapid testing and screening for viruses including COVID-19.
No matter what type of fight is being fought, one of the first items to assess is the arsenal of tools at one’s disposal. Thanks to COVID-19, 2020 has placed us all in a unique fight, not against a physical army or intangible idea, but against a novel virus that attacks people of all nations, especially our most vulnerable citizens. But we have multiple avenues to fight back, including:
- Distancing. By minimizing person-to-person interaction, we also minimizes potential transmissions.
- Vaccines. With a well-designed vaccine, even if someone is exposed to the virus their chances of it turning into a notable infection can be greatly reduced.
- Treatments. If someone is exposed to the virus and it does indeed turn into an infection, an effective menu of treatments can help minimize mortality rates and overall severity.
- Detection and tracing. These are our eyes in the battle against an invisible foe, and the key tools Ocean Insight will examine here.
Virus Detection and Tracing
Detection and tracing are critical in understanding how virus spread occurs historically so that future spreading can be minimized. This allows us to consider what activities and scenarios carry the greatest risk, and who among us may be most vulnerable. We can calibrate our policies and actions when we know how and where transmission is occurring.
But while slow detection methods can serve this purpose to a reasonable extent, fast detection techniques bring us even closer to the return to normal routines. A rapid testing system deployed at the entrance of a stadium, school, airport, or nursing home could instantly prevent a super-spreader scenario that we hear about all too often.