Coronavirus good news! UK starting vaccine next month and virus-zapping robots are ready

March 27, 2020

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Although the number of coronavirus cases has jumped and death tolls have risen across the UK, there is some positive news involving robots, football and how companies are thanking NHS staff

The UK could begin trials for a coronavirus vaccine next month, robots are using light beam to zap viruses and air pollution has rapidly dropped.

Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the deadly pandemic, more pieces of good news are emerging in the UK and across the world as the fight to stop the virus continues.

As of 9am on Thursday, 3,269 people tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK, and there have been 144 recorded deaths.

And everyone in the UK has now been told to avoid all unnecessary social contact, travel and attending work where possible.

But there does appear to be some hope on the horizon… Here are eight feel-good stories that should put a smile on your face.

Robots use light beams to zap viruses

In China, a robot was used to kill microbes with a zap of ultraviolet light.

The incredible test took place in a mock-hospital room, which sees the self-driving machine destroy viruses, bacteria and any other microbes that damage DNA.

It uses eight bulbs full of UV-C ultraviolet light, with the machines being distributed across the world – including Europe.

Each robot costs $67,000 to make, and although it has not yet been proven to kill coronavirus, doctors are confident it will, reports the BBC.

It take the robot around 20 minutes for the robot to clear the room of any viruses.

China reports no new cases

On Wednesday, China reported that there have been no new cases of coronavirus for the first time since the outbreak.

China has been on lockdown, meaning people can only go outside for food shopping or essential work.

Businesses are rewarding NHS staff

We cannot thank the NHS staff enough for their hard work during the crisis, and businesses are saying thanks you to them.

Companies like Pret, Starbucks, Leon and Domino’s are offering the NHS discounts on lunches, hot drinks and even haircuts just to say a massive thanks too.

Air pollution has rapidly dropped

As many across the world are working from home and flights being cancelled, the European Space Agency’s Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite estimates that the level of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere has declined somewhere between 20 to 30 per cent in February.

This is compared to previous measurements for the same month in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Responses to future pandemics should improve

Coronavirus has been an eye opener in terms of how healthcare systems have responded to the pandemic, so a faster global response, better and quicker distribution of testing kits, and more coordinated and coherent public messaging should be expected the next time around.