Faculty and staff at the University of Alberta have started making 3D-printed face shields in hopes of helping facilities keep up stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group behind the project is made up of clinicians, engineers and designers working alongside Alberta Health Services to make 2,000 face shields that are reusable and safe.
The U of A said they have received Health Canada’s approval to manufacture the shields. Alberta Health officials expect the number of COVID-19 cases to peak in mid-May.
The team at the U of A said it is racing to create the PPE to give to health-care workers. The group said an initial batch has already been piloted at the University of Alberta Hospital for feedback