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).

Illustrative image (Photo: thestar.com.my)

The test kits were developed by the cooperation of Siam Bioscience and the Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC), said Spokesman of the Centre for Covid-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 test kits to the Government.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Besides, the NSTDA and its partners launched an app to track people at risk of contracting the coronavirus, allowing them to self-assess their health condition.

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

Source: VNA