Bangkok (AFP) - Thai hospitals are deploying "ninja robots" to measure fevers and protect the health of overburdened medical workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak.
First built
to monitor recovering stroke patients, the machines have been quickly
repurposed to help fight the disease, which has so far killed nearly 9,000
people around the world.
They have
helped staff at four hospitals in and around Bangkok to reduce their risk of
infection by allowing doctors and nurses to speak to patients over a video
link.
"They
can stand outside the room and communicate with patients inside through the
robot," said Viboon Sangveraphunsiri of Chulalongkorn University.
Viboon's
engineering team is racing to build more "ninjas" for another 10
hospitals around the country (AFP Photo/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)
|
Later
models will be designed to bring food and medicine to patients, and could also
eventually be used to disinfect hospital wards, Viboon told AFP.
His
engineering team is racing to build more "ninjas" -- known as such
because of their matte black exterior -- for another 10 hospitals around the
country.
Thailand
has more than 200 confirmed COVID-19 infections, including at least one death.
More than 40 have recovered and been discharged from hospital.
Authorities
recently ordered the closure of bars, massage parlours and entertainment venues
to help prevent new cases.
Thai
officials have so far stopped short of imposing the full
lockdowns seen in
other countries (AFP Photo/Lillian
SUWANRUMPHA)
|
New rules
also require visitors entering the country to produce a health certificate.
Officials
have so far stopped short of imposing the full lockdowns seen in other
countries in a bid to contain damage to Thailand's crucial tourism sector.
But the
government's reassurances that the pandemic is under control have not stopped
bouts of panic buying in grocery stores.
Doctors are
also urging Thais to stay home to curb the spread of the virus.
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