Israeli researchers have developed a unique sticker attached to standard surgical masks for the protection of hospital medical staff from the novel coronavirus, Xinhua news agency quoted Israel Institute of Technology (Technion) as saying on Tuesday.

According to the team, which includes researchers from the Technion and the National Coronavirus Technology Center at the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the improved mask will reduce infection rates and enable continuous function of medical teams.

Made with three-dimensional printing technology, the sticker consists of nanometric fibers coated with disinfectants, which enhances the capture of nanoscale particles and effectively neutralizes the spray-emitting viruses that come into the mask.

The Israeli Ministry of Health has already granted initial approval for the unique sticker, and tests are planned in the coming days to begin at the Galilee Medical Center in northern Israel.

-- BERNAMA