1. INTRODUCTION:

Internet of things is a great technique of interconnecting computing tactics and a world which serves human at next with its vast calculating and data management capacities without any human involvement at any level. And main thing is it reduces chances of mistakes at lesser expanses. IoT in typical daily life proves to serve various real-life requirements such security of home, managing traffic, smart electricity management, monitoring health on daily basis, and many more which can easily controlled through our Smartphone wirelessly and remotely. When it comes to covid-19 it’s not just matter of discussion only, also not matter of anxiety but it’s time to fight against this²⁸, The new 2019 coronavirus, which is known as “2019-nCoV” (nCoV) ¹, was discovered in cases of viral pneumonia in Wuhan and was named by the World Health Organization on January 12, 2020 ¹. The coronary virus is a large family of viruses known to cause influenza as well as other serious diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) ². And now this time series of variants that were never seen before hitting the human population at its worst not for a single time but multiple times with increased mortality rate^{21 22}. And we human most civilized species on earth, we have capabilities to solve each problem that came across our path of development. And clubbing some solutions that I think can be implemented or already in use across the globe within a limited range can be implemented efficiently that this article tries to depict²³. Although our healthcare sectors are giving their best but still this time we need to be cautious as the virus is still present in various forms with multiple variants and some of them are yet to be discovered ³¹.

2. DATA ANALYSIS:

This “2019-nCoV” ¹ virus is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been found previously in humans ²; although it’s data are not good in number and what it shows is bit horrible ³:"

Fig. A.1: (a) New confirmed cases on daily basis of some countries; (b) New confirmed deaths on daily basis of some countries.

Point to be noticed from Fig. A.1 and from data in it is curves are increasing exponentially within sudden time, and here the point where we can use IoT devices as IoT is an innovative technology which ensures that all infected persons due to this virus are quarantine. During quarantine, it is helpful for a proper monitoring system. All high-risk patients are tracked easily using the internet-based network. As proper quarantine, proper hygiene and social distancing is the only solution we have in present day until proper medicine developed ²⁵. So after going through some of available IoT technology and some solutions used in some countries.

3. METHODOLOGY:

I tried to propose some solution that proven in successful in various aspects and also find application in different regions to increase medical efficiency, that are as follow:

3.1 Thermal cameras having IR sensors:

This is the master weapon against covid-19 as this can be used in crowed place for screening suspicious people and also at workplace for staff & visitors temperature monitoring. Countries have shown that it is possible to reduce the spreading of the SARS-CoV-2 or Novel Corona virus by implementing strong protective measures while trying to keep the economy going. In the USA, the CDC (Centres for Disease Control & Prevention) recommends the daily health checks of employees before they enter the work site ⁵. The WHO (World Health Organization) also recommends the temperature screening at the workplace¹. One of those measures is the use of non-contact infrared thermometry temperature measurement to screen for elevated skin temperatures (EST) in the workplace ⁶. Employees and visitors can have their temperature before they enter the work site⁶. The symptoms expressed by COVID-19 patients are nonspecific and cannot be used for an accurate diagnosis. Guan et al. reported that 44% of 1099 COVID-19 patients from China had a fever when they entered the hospital and that 89% developed a fever while in hospital ⁴. But for mass identification at crowded place as in countries with huge population like china, India, usa, and so on where testing of every individual not possible.

3.2 Detection in the environment:

A new biosensor for the COVID-19 virus is developed, Researchers have developed a novel sensor for detecting the new coronavirus. In future, it could be used to measure the concentration of the virus in the environment : for example, in places where there are many people or in hospital ventilation systems⁷. A team of researchers from Empa, ETH Zurich and Zurich University Hospital has succeeded in developing a novel sensor for detecting the new coronavirus⁷. As lockdown for very long time is very difficult so these sensors at least can make an alert about the concentration or we can say this technology gives eyes to see corona virus.

An optical sensor developed by Jing Wang and his team as an alternative test method⁷. The sensor combines two different effects to detect the virus safely and reliably: an optical and a thermal one. The sensor is based on tiny structures of gold, so-called gold nanoislands, on a glass substrate. Artificially produced DNA receptors that match specific RNA sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 are grafted onto the nanoislands. The coronavirus is a so-called RNA virus: Its genome does not consist of a DNA double strand as in living organisms, but of a single RNA strand. The receptors on the sensor are therefore the complementary sequences to the virus' unique RNA sequences, which can reliably identify the virus. The technology the researchers use for detection is called LSPR, short for localized surface plasmon resonance. And thermal part of this increase reliability as the genome of the virus consists of only a single strand of RNA. If this strand finds its complementary counterpart, the two combine to form a double strand this process called hybridization. The counterpart when a double strand splits into single strands this is called melting or denaturation. This happens at a certain temperature, the melting temperature. If the ambient temperature is only slightly lower than the melting temperature, only complementary strands can join. And this is exactly the result of the increased ambient temperature, which is caused by the PPT effect⁷.

3.3 Tracking and Monitoring by IoT devices:

Many of the companies putting their effort by developing IoT devices to keep in eye on suspects and victims also as these two are most dangerous vulnerability for a country suffering with any pandemic as they act as live moving sources of disease. During quarantine, it is helpful for a proper monitoring system. All high-risk patients are tracked easily using the internet-based network²⁹. This technology is used for the biometric measurements like blood pressure, heartbeat and glucose level. With the successful implementation of this technology, we can see an improvement in the efficiency of medical staff with a reduction in their workload ⁸. the internet of things concept utilises the interconnected network for the effective flow and exchange of data. It also enables the social workers, patients, civilians, etc. to be in connection with the service benefactors for discussing any issue and cooperation⁸. Therefore, by employing the proposed IoT tactic in COVID-19 pandemic, the effective tracing of the patients, as well as the suspicious cases, can be completely assured¹⁸. By developing a well-informed group of a connected network, the identification of the cluster can be made out significantly²⁷. Some particular Smartphone-based application can also be developed so that the needy ones can get be benefitted out of it^9,10,11,12.

Some countries uses RFID technology apart from mobile application to have more accurate results as RFID is one of the core technologies for item identification³⁰. It applies a radio frequent spatial coupling signal (among magnetic or electromagnetic fields) to achieve wireless information transmission and for identification purposes¹³. RFID was first used in the field of supply chain management; it is now also used in the medical industry. In 2004, Virtua Medical18 installed RFID systems in four hospitals to track and manage thousands of patients and staff, as well as 10,000 assets, which indicates that it’s already proved its efficiency at large scale level².

3.4 IoT to maintain social distancing:

Maintaining social distance is best measure to keep yourself safe, so IoT presents a solution for this where you don’t have to worry about maintaining by yourself n response to the need for greater worker protection during the COVID-19 pandemic, Triax Technologies, announced a new IoT system, Proximity Trace¹⁴. The Proximity Trace devices are affixed to a hard hat or worn on the body with a lanyard and emit a progressively louder alarm, alerting workers when they are too close to each other. This enables them to focus on their work, rather than worrying about their proximity to another worker or potential exposure to the virus¹⁴. The alarm can also serve to change behaviours by reminding workers to practice safe social distancing. Also robots can used here for this work¹⁶. It helps companies get workers back to work safely, while addressing recommended social distancing practices. Now my idea that I want to add here is that we can also develop such IoT based application in our device which notifies us when any other IoT device like smartphones, watches which genrally people carry with then and when these devices come near our device, which ensure our safety as if we are roaming in public place for urgent need.

3.5 Using robots along with flying IoT: Drones:

Robots and drones are equipped with sensors which sends data to remote location and managed there also they are remotely operated which is nothing more than IoT. This pandemic has fast-tracked the "testing" of robots and drones in public as officials seek out the most expedient and safe way to grapple with the outbreak and limit contamination and spread of the virus. Telemedicine, supported by robots, makes it possible for medical professionals to communicate with patients remotely, saving time and allowing possibly contagious patients to stay confined. Also we can provide medical services like medicines without any physical contact with them. They can patrol areas and observe crowds and traffic more efficiently. Those not wearing masks in public spaces could be identified¹⁶. These flying robots are also used to broadcast information to a larger area than traditional loudspeakers can¹⁷. Another way drones are used to fight coronavirus is to spray disinfectant in public spaces¹⁹. Through thermal sensing, drones are also helping officials with crowd management and to identify people with elevated body temperatures, which could indicate they have the virus. Japanese company Terra Drone ensured that medical and other supplies were safely transported from Xinchang County’s disease control centre to the Xinchang County People’s Hospital without exposing humans to infection. Using drones speeds up transport by 50% compared to road transportation¹⁵.

Sterilization robots are presently in use by china these robots emit an ultraviolet light throughout an area to kill viruses and bacteria without exposing any human personnel to infection. These bots are remotely controlled by a health worker who remains a safe distance away¹⁵. Since there are thousands of cases attributed to hospital-acquired infections, automation to prevent disease is a great opportunity for today. Since robots are immune to infection, tech companies such as JD.com and others have stepped up to the challenge to get more robots out in force to deliver and also delivery app, ramped up their “contactless delivery” options through autonomous vehicles and robots. Shenzhen-based start-up Pudu Technology aimed to reduce cross-infection by implementing home delivery of drugs and meals via robot, all this is possible due to IoT ¹⁵.

4. SOME DRAWBACK IN PRESENT SCENARIO:

The main drawback that I noticed in present time and also which is my motive to write this review paper is that IoT have great capabilities to stand against covid-19 but its application against pandemic is limited to particular locality or at most limited to country but our current war against covid is global issue, so I used a table ⁸ to depict some common application along with their description given below in Table A.1:

Table A.1 Solutions for drawback in present scenario

S.No	Applications	Description
1	Internet-connected hospital	The implementation of IoT to support pandemic like COVID-19 needs a complete integrated network within hospital premises
2	Inform the concerned medical staff during any emergency	This integrated network will allow the patients and the staffs to respond more quickly and effectively whenever needed
3	Transparent COVID-19 treatment	The patients can avail the benefits offered without any partiality and favours
4	Automated treatment process	The selection of treatment methods become productive and helps the appropriate handling of the cases
5	Telehealth consultation	This especially makes the treatment available for the needy ones in the remote locations via employing the well-connected teleservices
6	Wireless healthcare network to identify COVID-19 patient	Various authentic applications can be installed into Smartphone, which can make the identification procedure smoother and more fruitful
7	Smart tracing of infected patients	The impactful tracing of patients ultimately strengthened the service providers to handle the cases more smartly
8	Real-time information during the spread of this infection	As the devices, locations, channels, etc. are well informed and connected, the on-time information sharing can be done, and cases can be handled accurately
9	Rapid COVID-19 screening	As the case arrived/found at first instance, the proper diagnosis will be attempted through smart connected treatment devices. This ultimately makes the overall screening process more superior
10	Identify innovative solution	The overall quality of supervision is the utmost goal. It can be achieved by making innovations successful to the ground level.
11	Connect all medical tools and devices through the internet	During COVID-19 treatment, IoT connected all medical tools and devices through internet which convey the real-time information during treatment
12	Accurate forecasting of virus	Based on the data report available, the use of some statistical method can also help to predict the situation in the coming times. It will also help to plan the government, doctors, academicians, etc. to plan for a better working environment.

5. DISCUSSION:

While gathering data from various sources and localities where the above methods are already been in use, some impressive results appeared. I along with a team of local people selected a hospital to study how effective these IoT-based methods are where they are already using methods like thermal detection using cameras and tracking and monitoring through IoT devices. Following statement given by one of the chief doctor working there depicts all how much is these methods are useful:, “ In the initial days of the pandemic, we monitor each person entering in hospital by measuring temperature manually which develop risks for the health worker checking temperature and its also too much time taking which sometimes lead to a bypass of an infected person and which means we left a carrier roaming in hospital but now with thermal cameras on entrance makes scanning too easy and accurate as several people can be monitored at once and also when covid at its peak when we are facing a shortage of beds some patient have to be quarantined and treated at their home but it's too risky as sometimes patient left their home and meet different people so we use IoT based application to monitor their every activity and same application along with some IoT based medical device help doctors to keep eye on their medical reports without visiting their home and treat most critical one first as we all saw a massive shortage of Doctors”. As mentioned by Doctor if few IoT devices can help them too much then I think the further pandemic situation can easily be prevented by adopting it globally.

6. CONCLUSION:

Going straight forward I finally binds up to conclusion that by maximising IoT uses at all specific level can show you some very unexpected results against epidemic. Internet of Things (IoT), in particular, and along with other technologies like Cloud and AI, is of great use during the crisis. According to a study by researchers at MIT, overlaying geographic information system (GIS) on IoT mobile data can assist epidemiologists in their search for patient zero and can help identify all the people who have come into contact with the infected patients. The technology can also be helpful in monitoring patients who are high-risk. It is already saving lives of who are dealing with corona virus continuously by eliminating their need of physical touch with infected people and also of citizens by providing them facilities for essential services by staying at home and also providing self health check-up and so on. Also it not only provide weapons for this pandemic only but also prepares us for next such global issue along with set a new benchmark of advancement in health care facilities.

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I would like to show my gratitude to Dr Anurag for sharing their hospital experience with us and Mr. Aadeesh Jain for sharing their pearls of wisdom with me during the course of this research in helping me understand the life cycle of the virus. I would also like to thanks Mr. Meet A. Moradiya for providing guidance during my work.

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the time and effort devoted by reviewers to improving the quality of my work.

8. FUNDING SOURCES:

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Received on 25.10.2021 Accepted on 29.12.2021

Int. J. Tech. 2021; 11(2):57-62.

DOI: 10.52711/2231-3915.2021.00008