The Centre for Epidemiology and Climate Research, Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), has developed a Geographical Tracking Device and Live COVID-19 Risk Map for Abia State and Nigeria.

The devices would assist in monitoring the movement of Coronavirus in Abia State and Nigeria, as well as, assist planners in checking any impending threat by the disease in the State and the country.

This breakthrough is coming on the heels of commercial production of ABSU hand sanitisers and nose masks that meet World Health Organization and International Standards which the university embarked on its research and mass production since the spread of COVID-19 to Nigeria.

The devices, being scientific breakthroughs by eggheads in the Centre for Epidiomology and Climate Research of ABSU led by the Head of Department, Geography and Planning, Dr. Felix Ike, include: Geographical tracking and mapping of COVID-19 in Nigeria, Live Risk Map for COVID-19 in Nigeria; Live COVID-19 Risk Map for Abia State and Development of COVID-19 Early Warning System (EWS) for Aba and Umuahia, Abia State.

The Centre has also developed COVID-19 Hotspots Map at all borders/entry points in Abia State, using the Delta-T Automatic Weather Station situated in the university and imported from Cambridge, United Kingdom, one of its kind in West Africa. The Centre has equally developed a Geographic Information System/Remote Sensing Laboratory.

Authorities of the Centre explained that this scientific breakthrough would also assist in tracking real-time surveillance of emerging Public Health threats by COVID-19 in Abia State and Nigeria

“It also offers near-real-time Geo-located updates from these sources to better understand the progression of the Pandemic,” they explained in a statement issued by the Deputy Registrar (Public Relations and Protocol) of the University, Mr Acho Elendu.

“This is yet another monumental achievement of the inspirational and excellence-driven administration of the Vice-Chancellor, Distinguished Professor E. Uche Ikonne,” they added.

According to them these feats were also made possible by the “capacity building and quality leadership of the Governor and Visitor to the University, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, who had challenged the University to make industry of her research activities.”

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