Why in News?

An Israeli team, led by a high ranking research and development (R&D) defence official, arrived in Delhi for the multi-pronged mission, code named “Operation Breathing Space”.

About Operation Breathing Space

• It is a India-Israel joint mission to work on the coronavirus (COVID-19) response.
• The mission would be coordinated by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), and Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Ministry of Health.
• Under this, rapid tests are being developed which will provide results in less than 30 seconds if successful.
• The Israeli delegation led by the Directorate of Defence Research and Development of Israel, would conduct a series of tests to determine the effectiveness of a number of rapid diagnostic solutions along with Indian scientists and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

New rapid tests

• Trials on new testing have been conducted at a special testing site at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, New Delhi.
• Four different kinds of simple, non-invasive technologies have been used in the trials, which includes an audio test, a breath test, thermal testing, and a polyamino test which seeks to isolate proteins related to COVID-19.
• In the audio test, a patient’s voice would be recorded and evaluated through artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• The breath test would involve making the patient blow into a tube, which would be analysed through specialised “high-frequency” methodology, using Terra-Hertz (THZ) waves. 
• Isothermal testing allows detection of the virus in a saliva sample with the help of a chemical reaction and produces a result within 30 minutes, while testing using Polyamino acids too detects virus proteins in a saliva sample in a few minutes.

References:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/israeli-team-arrives-for-trials-of-four-rapid-covid-19-tests-brings-high-tech-equipment/article32206292.ece
2. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-israel-to-work-on-rapid-test/article32175481.ece
3. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jul/31/india-israel-joint-cooperation-starts-trial-for-rapid-testing-result-in-less-than-30-secs-if-succes-2177405.html