Indian institute develops protective full face gear

At a time when there are many reports on shortage of personal protective equipment, the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute's Centre for Innovation (LVPEI), which is based in Hyderabad, said on Tuesday it has developed a low-cost, easy to manufacture, indigenous 'Open Source Visor' (full-face protective gear) at Rs 50 for their clinicians and frontline staff.

The full-face protective gear is a transparent visor that is worn over the surgical mask to protect the entire face. The team led by Sandeep Vempati, Project Lead at LVPEI Center for Innovation created a prototype in four hours, made a manufacturable version of it the same day, and contacted vendors the next day.

Barely 48 hours later, the design of the product that has a production cost of approximately Rs 50 was ready for use. However, according to the LVPEI, the per units cost is Rs 50 and assembly-shipping cost was not included.

So far 114 people have died due to the <a href="https://indianarrative.com/science/most-covid-19-patients-put-on-ventilators-in-ny-died-says-study-1221.html">coronavirus</a> in India, according to the website of the Union Health Ministry. A total of 325 people have recovered since the first case was reported in the country on January 30..