While coronavirus pandemic rages on, countries around the world are begin using drones to transport hazardous medical samples remotely. This includes the US which has been experimenting with drones too.
What could possibly go wrong?!
COVID-19: Drones to transport blood samples of quarantined persons to testing centres
03/30/2020
| PULSE GHANA | EMMANUEL AYAMGA
The government has revealed plans to use drones in transporting the blood samples of persons suspected to be infected with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to the various testing centres.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu on Sunday, March 29, 2020.
Addressing the media in Accra, the Minister said the drones will also be deployed for the distribution of other essential medical supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/local/covid-19-drones-to-transport-blood-samples-of-quarantined-persons-to-testing-centres/cht6788
Drones could deliver medical supplies, blood samples during COVID-19 crisis
Jenny Yuen
Published: March 24, 2020
Updated: March 24, 2020 4:57 PM EDT
Filed Under:
Toronto SUN
For drones, a pandemic could be their time to shine.
Vaughan-based Drone Delivery Canada said it’s in discussions with the federal government to review drone regulations, given all that’s happening with COVID-19, so that suburban, rural and remote communities have quicker access to medical and pharmaceutical supplies, or send blood samples to laboratories while limiting person-to-person contact.
“Transport Canada has shown a strong interest to collaborate on new applications, especially in medical applications,” said the company’s CEO Michael Zahra.
The company is working with Moose Cree First Nation — located on James Bay — to test its first remote community drone trip. The community is awaiting final funding approval from the federal government to help expedite this project, though there’s no confirmed start date.
https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/drone-company-pushing-for-feds-to-relax-airspace-restrictions-during-covid-19
UPS uses drones to deliver medical samples
Working with WakeMed in North Carolina, the delivery service will deploy a quadcopter along a pre-determined flight path to deliver blood and other diagnostic specimens.
By Nathan Eddy
March 27, 2019
10:17 AM
Delivery service UPS has teamed up with drone logistics specialist Matternet on medical sample delivery service at WakeMed’s hospital and campus in Raleigh, North Carolina.
THE BIGGER TREND
Drone transport has the potential to improve speed of deliveries at a lower cost and enhance access to care, with the aim of creating healthier communities.
A July 2018 report by innovation foundation Nesta studied the possible drone transportation of light medical deliveries between hospitals in the UK’s capital, concluding the increased speed and reliability could cut costs and improve patient care. But barriers include the need for air traffic control systems to allow drones to operate at scale without interfering with each other or traditional aircraft.
In the wake of Hurricane Maria, in September of 2018, AT&T teamed up with Merck and others to deliver medications to remote villages in Puerto Rico using drones. Those involved temperature-controlled cargo cases and medicine for ashtma and hypertension that did not need to be refrigerated.
https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ups-uses-drones-deliver-medical-samples