Page 42 - Covid 2021 June 2021

risk in indoor settings. Significantly, research carried out by CSIR constituent labs, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) and CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTECH) in September 2020 had demonstrated experimentally that SARS-CoV-2 viral particles could be detected in air even after 2 hours of exit of infected persons from a room and at distances much greater than a few meters as well (S C. Moharir et al., 2020) strengthening evidence of airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2.
The product developed by the CSIR-CSIO is tested for more than 99% disinfection and could be used as a retrofit solution to Air Handling Units (AHUs) of buildings, transport vehicles and other spin off applications. The UV-C Air Duct Disinfection System is energy efficient. It improves airflow through coils, enhances indoor air quality, requires less maintenance, easy to retrofit with any existing system having AHU ducts, and has low initial setup cost. The system comes with commercialized standards and certifications.
CSIR-CSIO has transferred the technology to 27 companies, for scaling up the manufacturing.
UV-C Air Duct Disinfection System
Website link:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1720933 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.30.20248890v1
Countrywide AYUSH COVID -19 Counselling Helpline
operationalized
A dedicated community support helpline has been operationalized by the Union Ministry of Ayush to provide AYUSH-based approaches and solutions for the challenges raised by COVID-19. The toll-free number is 14443. The helpline is operational pan-India from 6 am to 12 midnight, all seven days of a week.
Through the helpline 14443, experts from different streams of Ayush, namely Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani and Siddha would be available to address queries of the general masses. These experts would not only be providing counselling and feasible remedies to the patients but would also guide them about the availability of nearby Ayush facilities.
The experts would also be suggesting post COVID-19 rehabilitation and management approaches to the patients. The helpline is IVR (Interactive Voice Response) equipped and currently available in Hindi and English. Other languages will be added in due course of time. The helpline will initially take 100 calls simultaneously and the capacity would be increased in future, as per requirements. Through the helpline, the Ministry of Ayush aims to contribute to
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