The Institute of Numerical Modelling continues working in a project to diminish the impact of COVID-19

Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital’s (PSCUH) Scientific Institute in collaboration with the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre and the University of Latvia are successfully following through with the objectives of project New Technologies for Targeted Tracing, Testing and Treatment of COVID-19 Patients (3-T project) (Nr. VPP-COVID-2020/1-0025). On the 30th of September, a scientific meeting between all project collaborators is going to be held to discuss the latest project developments as well as what already has been accomplished and to plan the subsequent project activities. It is going to take place in the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre from 12 to 2 pm.

The project and PSCUH Scientific Institute director Valdis Pīrāgs is confident that in the first three months of the project have been dynamic and successful – all the partners have accomplished the necessary tasks to reach the project objectives. “The project is effectively moving forwards and we are planning on reaching the project goals within the expected time frame,” says V. Pīrāgs, he also admits the only obstacle for reaching the project goals on time could be related to the state public procurement process.

In the framework of the project of EUR 486 838, three technologies are going to be developed:

  • Tracing of increased risk subjects by using Smart Rooms to trace and proactively prevent in-room spreading of SARS-CoV2 and other respiratory viruses;
  • Testing of identified higher risk subjects in the asymptomatic stage of viral infection before detectable antibodies are present in a patient’s body;
  • Treatment of medium severe pneumonia patients in pneumology ward with non-invasive lung ventilators (home-CPAPs) to ensure necessary oxygen enrichment and to reduce the demand of the expensive invasive lung ventilators in ICU.

The overall goal of this proposal is to prevent spreading and disease progression of COVID-19 with the help of T3 concept (Tracing – Testing – Treatment) by the creation of sensor-equipped smart spaces for mobile warning and people movement monitoring applications (T1), by validation of an original antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (T2) and by using of affordable continuous positive airway pressure (home-CPAP) machine combined with oxygen enrichment adapter for COVID-19 pneumonia treatment (T3).