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Viral Transport Medium to Meet the Demand for COVID-19 Testing in the UP

Institution: Michigan Technological University
Funders (17)
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Why This Project Is Important 

SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, has infected more than 27 million people worldwide. In the United States alone, more than 6 million cases of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported with more than 118,000 cases and 6,810 deaths confirmed in Michigan. Given the number of patients who need to be tested, it has become very difficult to obtain viral transport medium (VTM). VTM is used for preservation of the specimens during transportation and/or storage at a testing facility. 

Project Description 

To prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, patients or suspected patients who have come into contact with infected patients have to be tested and quarantined (if positive). Specimens collected from COVID-19 suspected patients, for testing, are put into viral transport medium (VTM) for preservation of the specimens during transportation and/or storage at a testing facility. Given the number of patients who need to be tested, it has become very difficult to obtain VTM. To fill this void, Michigan Technological University has been preparing and supplying VTM (as shown in the picture) to the local hospitals and clinics. So far, Michigan Tech has supplied VTM, for ~2000 samples, to four hospitals/clinics in the Upper Peninsula (UPHS-Portage, Baraga County Memorial Hospital, Houghton County Medical Care/Canal View, and OSF-St Francis Hospital).

In order to continue to provide this service to our community, we need your support/contribution. Help us so that we can prepare more VTM for testing. Anything you can contribute will make a difference.

Meet the Researcher

Caryn Heldt

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$1,830
of $5,000 fund goal
The average donation for this project is $108
0
days left
37%
funded
$500
last
Funding is Closed

What Your Donation Can Help Us Do: 

  • Prepare and supply viral transport medium to the local hospitals
Although there are no rewards for this project, all donors will receive an email receipt with tax-deduction information.

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Gifts to projects listed on SUPERIORIDEAS.ORG are received and processed by Michigan Tech Fund. Michigan Tech Fund is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code acting on behalf of Michigan Technological University. It is the policy of Michigan Tech Fund that a portion of the gifts and/or income therefrom may be used to defray the costs of raising and administering the funds.