It’s that time of year again—colder weather and more sneezing and coughing. Is it COVID-19, a cold, the flu? Staying healthy is top of mind in a post-pandemic world, but even with mask wearing and other precautions, it’s nearly impossible to always avoid germs.
A North Carolina–based tech company wants to change that with what it calls a “game-changing product” in the indoor air quality space. On Friday, Aura Technologies launched its Ion Bar, which creates a germicidal barrier between two spaces.
Think walk-through metal detector, but instead the product has an invisible “force field” that kills germs before they enter a space. The airflow kills 99 percent of viruses and bacteria in the air and on surfaces, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, and also tackles dust, pollen and smoke, according to the company.
“There is nothing like this in the world,” Anna Bennett, co-CEO of Aura Technologies, told Newsweek. “We are defining a new category in indoor air quality.”
AURA Technologies
How does it work? The force field of air is infused with highly concentrated negative air ions, a safe and powerful disinfectant that kills bacteria and sanitizes the air. The product is designed to be used in high-traffic areas like public transit, airports, lavatories and elevators.
“If someone is on that elevator that has the cold or a flu, you’re going to be protected,” Bennett said. “It’s going to cleanse the air at the same time,” without emitting harmful ozone into the area.
Aura said its independent lab results show the technology reduces SARS-CoV-2 by at least 99.95 percent. For perspective, an N-95 mask worn properly blocks about 95 percent of pathogens.
During the pandemic, technology became a critical tool in fighting the virus and keeping businesses open. UV light sanitization robots and touchless interface systems were among the many products used to reduce the spread of the virus in public spaces.
Latest Numbers on COVID
COVID-19 test positivity and hospitalization rates have declined within the past couple of weeks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC
Average COVID-19 test positivity rates across the U.S. were around 9.5 percent during the week of October 8 to 14, according to the most recent CDC data. That figure is down 0.7 percent from the week before.
COVID-19 hospitalization rates have also continued to fall since the summer. More than 16,100 Americans were admitted to a hospital for COVID-19 last week, down nearly 5 percent from the week before.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.