The growing use of technology to deal with the pandemic has a few more additions that aim to protect frontline workers from getting infected. The G South ward (Worli, Lower Parel) has implemented quite a few in their ward office as well as in the COVID care facilities. Apart from foot-operated wash basins and lifts, civic officials are now using a robot to sanitise isolation wards, drones to spray disinfectant in inaccessible areas, and will launch smart watches to remotely monitor vitals of senior citizens this week.

'To reduce contact'

Civic officials from G South ward said that the use of such gadgets will help reduce contact between health workers and COVID patients. Sharad Ugade, assistant municipal commissioner of G South ward, said that they will start using smart watches that can monitor blood pressure, oxygen saturation and body temperature, this week. "They will help monitor the vitals of senior citizens who are high-risk contacts. Their vitals will be monitored centrally from the COVID war room and there will be an alarm to note when their temperature is too high or if their oxygen levels are too low, so that appropriate treatment can be given to them on time," he said. He added that considering the COVID-related deaths are largely affecting senior citizens, this can bring the number of deaths down as well.