Local tech company using product to detect COVID-19

May 9, 2020 | 12:07 am

Updated May 9, 2020 | 1:34 am

Owensboro-based technology company Hollison has joined the fight against the coronavirus, adapting their current equipment to be able to detect COVID-19 in high-risk facilities.

The patented technology is a bioaerosol sampler — named the DuraSampler — that was developed several years ago to detect pathogens in food facilities.

Now, the DuraSampler will deliver an assessment of ventilation systems in high-risk areas including hospitals, first response facilities, shelters, convalescent homes, government offices and manufacturing.

“The World Health Organization recently said that COVID-19 can stay in the air for up to three hours,” said Christopher Thorn, vice president of Brand Management. “It takes continuous samples of the air that lets these production facilities know whether or not the areas are infected.”

Thorn said the virus can also cling to metal surfaces within the ventilation systems for up to 48 hours, meaning constant testing is necessary.

The DuraSampler gives first responders the ability to determine point-of-entry and how to isolate COVID-19 within infected areas. The sampling provides data on groups of individuals that are at risk of infection. By creating a single sample for a large group of individuals, it reduces the high need for individual tests.

“It doesn’t cure the area of the virus, but it does help manage and reduce the risk,” Thorn said. “If it’s in the air — along with any other pathogen that’s in the air — it will tell us everything that’s there.”

The DuraSampler is about the size of a suitcase and is operational in less than five minutes. All it requires is distilled water to collect air samples.

Samples are immediately ready for lab testing, and results can be provided in as little as 30 minutes.

The bags used to collect samples are replaceable, and the machine can be reused. Thorn said the company will provide any necessary maintenance and can help with setup, though he said operation is as simple as using a coffee machine.

Thorn said they’ve shown the product to both Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and Deaconess Hospital in Evansville and that both are considering it.

“This technology is not limited to a single virus or pathogen, but we certainly want to get it deployed and do our part in the fight against COVID-19,” said Kevin Humphrey, CEO of Hollison.

Thorn said eight units are ready to be shipped, and 15 more should be ready within the next two weeks.

“We’re just trying to keep our fellow Kentuckians or whoever else needs it safe,” he said. “We want to be here to help and provide something that can help manage this. We know that it will.

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The Owensboro Health coronavirus hotline is available 24/7 by calling 877-888-6647. Call the hotline before seeking in-person care. More information from OH can be found here.

For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.

For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.

May 9, 2020 | 12:07 am

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