The fight against Corona: Topicus deploys knowledge on screening processes
21 april 2020 • Deventer • 1 minute read
In the Netherlands, the corona outbreak created a shortage of analytical capacity for laboratory testing for COVID-19. Topicus worked with RIVM and Facilitaire Samenwerking Bevolkingsonderzoeken (FSB) to develop CoronIT. This IT platform allows laboratory capacity normally used for cervical cancer (HPV) testing to be temporarily used for COVID-19 testing. Other large laboratories and the GGDs (Healthcare authorities), which are in charge of this screening and are further developing CoronIT with Topicus, will also start working with the platform. In the first instance, the aim is to be able to test primary care providers in the Netherlands as quickly as possible; the system is designed to enable broad nationwide screening for corona, both in terms of detecting the virus and detecting people who have developed antibodies.
As an IT company, Topicus has extensive experience in the field of screening processes, including those focused on cervical cancer. In addition, Topicus supports the screening and implementation of tuberculosis control carried out at the 25 GGDs (Healthcare authorities) in the Netherlands. That combined knowledge of both worlds should now provide relief.
Christiaan Mast, business line manager at Topicus, is ambitious: "The goal now is to deploy the platform as soon as possible. The system, CoronIT, was developed in a few weeks and supports an appropriate corona testing process with a multidisciplinary group; it is the link in the chain. Clients suspected to have contracted the disease are notified, a sample is taken, which is sent to a laboratory, after which the result is fed back to the appropriate people.’
Christiaan Mast adds: ‘It gives, especially in these days of social distancing, enormous energy to be able to make such a relevant contribution in the fight against corona. The team has made a flying start. Together we can fight corona!’
Would you like more information?
Visit the website of Public Health for more information or contact Christiaan Mast
