[Auto] They set up a mobile laboratory on an electric bus

[Dr.Drako]

The "E-Bus Laboratory COVID-19" project seeks to facilitate access to the taking of samples to carry out PCR examinations -and possibly other tests-

Foton, together with the Catholic University of Chile and its Faculty of Medicine, set up a mobile laboratory on an electric bus. The pilot project, which is called "E-Bus Laboratory COVID-19", seeks to facilitate access to the taking of samples to carry out PCR examinations - and possibly other tests - in vulnerable areas of the Metropolitan Region.

 

The Foton e-Bus, which will be operated by the UC CHRISTUS Health Network, was completely adapted with special equipment to function as a laboratory and provide all the protections for health personnel. The bus-laboratory has a sector of seats for the transfer of health personnel (2 nurses, 1 nursing technician and 1 administrative), access with a cabin with sanitation restriction, administrative area, 2 sampling box (with sleeves to maintain physical distance) and storage area, as well as WiFi service.

 

Regarding its technical specifications, it reaches approximately 170 kilometers of autonomy, considering 80% of battery capacity use (129 kW) in urban conditions. In addition, its batteries are fast charging; Using a 150 kW charger, the batteries recharge 80% of their capacity in 25 minutes. Although of course, there are other versions also that can reach 300 kilometers.

 

Enel X Chile will be in charge of the adaptation, sanitation and energy charging of the mobile laboratory. The exams and sampling will be financed with the resources of the Esperanza Project COVID-19 of the alliance between the Catholic University and BHP.

The people who will be treated in this mobile laboratory will be referred from the local health services and must have a medical order. The idea is to assist the po[CENSORED]tion of the Áncora UC Primary Care Centers -of La Pintana and Puente Alto- and other specific sectors to be agreed with the authorities.

What was said
The Dean of the UC Faculty of Medicine, Felipe Heusser, explained that “the electric bus that Enel makes available today to the 'Esperanza COVID 19' project is a clear example of the effort between the Catholic University, through our Faculty of Medicine and the UC CHRISTUS Health Network, and private companies, to face this pandemic. Undoubtedly, it is a fundamental support for the materialization of the project that we are developing together with BHP, and which seeks to significantly increase the diagnostic capacity of Covid-19, in order to identify, isolate and monitor patients in the southeastern sector of the Metropolitan Region ”.

 

For his part, the general manager of Andes Motor, Luis Izquierdo, stated that “we are very happy to be able to contribute through our Foton bus to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, supporting health workers and facilitating the access to exams for people from the communes of Puente Alto and La Pintana. Being an environmentally friendly laboratory, which works without polluting, with very low noise levels, we are even more satisfied. ”

Meanwhile, the general manager of Enel X Chile, Karla Zapata, stressed that “we are living a complex moment that requires everyone's collaboration. The implementation of this 100% electric laboratory bus is an unprecedented initiative in our country, both due to its characteristics and its implementation, and reaffirms our commitment to contribute to overcoming this pandemic that affects the world and our country, incorporating electric mobility into the health care, also contributing to caring for the environment and decontamination of the city ”.