PDBY reserves the right to practice discretion when

UP suspends biometric access system following COVID-19 case in South Africa

Susanna Anbu A joint research venture between the University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of Leicester (UL) has brought about the emergence of a new technology that successfully gives a premature diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) in individuals. The technology comprises of 3D printed strips that are inserted into a face mask. The inserts are 3D printed polyvinyl alcohol strips that have the capability to catch the tiny TB particles. The details of the technology were published by The Lancet on 18 February.

TB is an airborne infection, therefore particles can stay airborne for up to 8 hours. The TB bacteria can enter the body as humans inhale thousands of particles with every breath. The bacteria is transmitted via airborne particles called droplet nuclei that vary in size, from between 1-5 microns. The polyvinyl strips were designed and printed at UL. The strips are capable of catching Yolanda Sithole T he Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology launched a self-service hearing test kiosk. The hearing test was free for all UP students and staff, on 3 March. The kiosk was at the Merensky Library on Hatfield Campus - it was self-service and user-friendly which made it easy for students and UP staff to use. The kiosk gives students a score, which if below 50, the student is referred to a professional, and those with a score of higher than 50 would be considered to have a good hearing range.

Solomon Matheza, a final-year Education student, took the test. Matheza said he found the test to be helpful as he got to see his hearing-range score. After taking the test, he was required to type in his contact details as a referral to a professional audiologist. Keegan Bosman, a first-year BCom general student, described the test as convenient, simple to navigate, and that he would highly recommend it to other students. Both Matheza and Bosman emphasized that the hearing test device was convenient as it automatically calculated the hearing range, and, if needed, refers the tester to a professional.

The Clinical Coordinator of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr Christine Louw, explains the aim and importance of World Hearing Day: What is the aimbehind the free hearing test initiative?

The aim behind the free hearing test initiative is two-fold: Raising awarenessabout hearing loss, andincreasing accessto hearing care services. It is important to raise awareness in the younger generations as more than one billion students and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices, according to the World Health Organization. Furthermore, when a screening service is brought closer to the public, in this case the staff and students of the University of Pretoria, access to hearing care can be improved. New technology allows premature detection of TB World Hearing Day features hearing test kiosk

prospective TB bacteria within 30 minutes of a potential TB patient wearing it. This allows for a quick diagnosis that leads to earlier treatment, thereby reducing potential lung destruction before symptoms are evident.

The joint research venture arose due to a chance meeting between Professor Stoltz and Professor Barer - a Professor of Clinical Microbiology and Honorary Consultant Microbiologist (UL). Professor Barer and his team had initially used gelatin coins in the mask but this plan of action had a few limitations. The progression of testing materials led to the utilisation of the polyvinyl strips that were inexpensive and also 3D printed by an engineering student who was pursuing their Ph.D and had investigated the properties of the material.

Professor Anton Stoltz, Head of Department in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UP, said this finding is particularly important because it makes early detection of TB easier and faster. He mentions that “this is a potentially universal solution that can also benefit underprivileged communities, who still struggle with accessing healthcare”. Furthermore, Professor Stoltz highlighted the ease of accessibility of the technology, as it is accessible via the Family Medicine Community Program (COCP). Professor Stoltz states that “community health workers are currently walking with these masks and distributing it to families that are tested for tuberculosis”. After 30 minutes, the masks are collected and taken to the labs at UP to test for the presence of TB bacteria on the strips. Professor Stoltz mentions that this is the second phase of their experimental venture to evaluate how well the masks are picking up TB in the community. During a pilot study conducted by UP and UL, researchers sampled 24 people with confirmed TB over a 24-hour period, which showed that infectious TB was exhaled and spread when patients were asleep. This was a breakthrough in the understanding of the disease, as it demonstrated that a cough may not be required to spread the infection. All of the work that was published under Lancet Infectious Diseases, was undertaken in South Africa.

Professor Stoltz reveals that the research team is planning to undertake a study in small children due to the difficulties imposed when diagnosing children. Furthermore, the mask is to be tested in congregate settings such as jails, nursing homes, and shelters.

In speaking about the potentiality of the technology to detect other airborne infections, Professor Stoltz confirms that his team has already started testing the technology for respiratory viruses and is currently writing a protocol for evaluation of COVID-19 coronavirus infections. This technology has revolutionized the way we combat airborne infections that afflict humanity. If a UPstudent/staff member finds that they have a hearing problem after taking the test, what steps can they take from there?

After completing the hearing screening using the self-test kiosk [...] students and staff can be directly connected with the UP-Audiology Clinicsituated on the Hatfield Campus. What measures can people take to prevent hearing loss?

1) Protect your hearing from loud noises. This can be done by: -minimising your exposure to loud noises that are persistent.

-When listening to music through headphones or earphones on your personal audio device, keep the volume down.

-Wear ear protectors during any activity that exposes you to very loud noise (above 85 decibels). 2)Besensitive to subtlechanges in your hearing - if you experience any ringing in your ears, or struggle to follow a conversation in a noisy area, such as a restaurant, see an audiologist. 3) Get your hearing checked annually. The self-test kiosk is situated on level three in Merensky Library and can be used by UP students and members of staff. Kristin De Decker T he University of Pretoria (UP) has begun to temporarily deactivate the turnstile’s biometric touchpads at the entrances to all campuses. This follows a statement released by the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on 5 March verifying that the first case of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in South Africa. According to a media briefing, the 38-yearold patient is from Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal and recently travelled to Italy with his wife, in a group of ten people. After returning on 1 March, he consulted a medical doctor and displayed “symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough.” A nurse then “took swabs and delivered it to the lab”. The press release also stated that “the patient has been self-isolating since March 3”. According to Eyewitness News, the patient has two children and Cowan House Preparatory School, where one of them is enrolled, issued a notice saying it will be temporarily closed. This is despite Mkhize urging that such action is unnecessary. The school maintains that “conservative action is appropriate under these circumstances.” Similarly, UP indicated, in a notice to students, that the decision to “temporarily disabled the biometric access systems on all campuses” is a “precautionary measure” and one that has been implemented to “minimise the possible spread of the virus”. Although biometrics are in the process of being disabled, students are still required to scan their valid student cards in order to gain access to campus. UP reiterated that they “take the issue seriously, and are closely monitoring the situation while working with a team of health experts as well as the relevant authorities, including the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD)”. Moreover, an announcement on the UP website stated that they are “taking proactive steps to help ensure that [they] have a plan of action in place to address a possible outbreak on campus.” They further stated that they have a ‘task team’ that will assist in implementing this plan, as “the safety and wellbeing of staff and students are paramount”. Students that display symptoms of a sudden onset of fever (38 degrees and above) and one or more of the following symptoms: fever, cough and difficulty breathing, are advised to isolate themselves and consult a medical doctor. The UP Crisis line can be contacted via 012 420 2310. The NICD should be contacted on 0800 029 999, before going to a medical centre. The UP website also indicated that there are “nursing staff and experts on standby in our Student Health Services to assist with initial diagnoses”.

One of the best ways to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including: - Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

- Stay home when you are sick. - Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. - Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. It is important to note that, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is no specific medicine or vaccine, to date, that can cure COVID-19. Although the virus first surfaced in Wuhan China, according to NBS News there are currently cases in over 80 countries. In addition, as of 6 March, more than 102 000 people have been infected and at least 3 436 people have died. Yet, more than 56 000 people have recovered. The WHO estimates the mortality rate to be 3.4%. Yet, it is noteworthy to acknowledge that while the mortality rate is on the lower end of the scale, COVID-19 prevents a greater risk to those with weakened immune systems. This problem is highlighted by The BBC’s South African Correspondent, Andrew Harding, in an online article that explores the vulnerability of those infected already with HIV/AIDS. The high frequency of HIV/ AIDS in South Africa could therefore be a determining factor in how adversely the country is affected.

...is currently writing a protocol for evaluation of COVID-19 coronavirus infections... - Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

- Stay home when you are sick. - Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. Preventive actions Photo: Kamogelo Mogapi