Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Australia’s drama-charged National Rugby League (NRL) cannot seem to catch a break. With Sydney’s latest COVID-19 outbreak spiraling, hundreds of NRL players and their families have been forced to relocate to Queensland mid-season. But since then, there have been multiple reports of COVID-19 bubble breaches, which have put the game’s future at risk. The latest scandalous development comes in the form of drones being deployed as creepy, electronic Peeping Toms to keep the players and their families in check.

As seashores start to get packed with sun-worshippers, a coastal town in northeastern Spain is using drones to monitor beach crowds in real time. The drone trials in Sitges come at a time when COVID-19 cases are rising dramatically across Spain.

The world’s leading drone delivery specialist, Zipline, has announced a capital infusion of $250 million, which it will use to expand its booming activities in Africa and the US. The investment increases the total funds Zipline has raised to $486 million, and values the instant logistics company at $2.75 billion.

Scores of people were arrested in southern England Sunday after drone-flying police busted revelers at a giant rave violating the country’s continuing COVID-19 restrictions. Footage from the craft showed countless cars parked along roads abutting the pastureland used for the illegal party, aiding them in organizing moves to break it up. 

If Kannon was ever going to catch the coronavirus, she sure won’t now. Japanese workers scaled a giant statue of the Buddhist goddess to keep her and her devotees safe. Watch this drone video of a giant mask installation.

The Guangdong province in southern China is witnessing a sudden uptick in COVID-19 cases. For the last three weeks, authorities have been carrying out mass testing and imposing local lockdowns to control the fresh coronavirus outbreak. And stepping up as first responders for relief and control efforts are drones.

Malaysia has announced it has begun deploying drones to detect signs of COVID-19 infection among its population – the most recent nation to use the craft in the global anti-pandemic effort.

Officials across the globe have used drones in the fight against the pandemic’s spread. South Korea is adding a new weapon to that anti-coronavirus arsenal from above: detecting people with COVID-19-indicating fevers at beaches this summer.

Draganfly, a longstanding player in the drone industry that has been on our radar for its “pandemic drone” and stadium disinfection services, is ready to add a new solution to its COVID-19 relief portfolio: drone delivery of the novel coronavirus vaccines.

Scrambling to turn back the surge of COVID-19 infections and deaths sweeping the nation, India has broadened testing of drones in delivering vaccines and other medicines to Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) destinations.

Authorities in India have authorized test use of drones for COVID-19 vaccinations as part of their response to the unprecedented surge of coronavirus across the country.

Researchers from the University of Cincinnati are turning to drones to deliver the required devices to make telehealth appointments possible. The group is looking for ways to allow families without smart devices or a decent internet connection to access telehealth.

The Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole (BCP) Council plans to use drones to fight back against the expected surge in litter after COVID-19 lockdowns finish later this summer. The drones will track the amount of litter and inform workers of the most affected areas.

Acumen Research and Consulting has released a new report that suggests the medical drone market could hit $643 million by 2027. The reason behind it is the recent advancements in drone technology and the continuing adoption of medical delivery drones worldwide.

A Toronto television station has put together a reel featuring drone footage taken around the city. And, because Toronto is currently under full lockdown, it’s a pretty empty place.

A trial funded by iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre will look into the feasibility of flying COVID-19 vaccines to living in remote Australia. The test is expected to occur in the Northern Territory and see the drones fly up to 250 km (155 m).

Drone delivery company Flirtey has announced it will work with Vault Health to deliver at-home COVID-19 tests to limit exposure between people and make it more convenient for those far away from test locations.

Surf Life Saving New South Wales (NSW) has sent its drones back up across Sydney’s popular beaches and parks to ensure COVID-19 rules are followed. The drones were first used back in November to prepare for the increase in activity around the festive season.

After many months of setup work, DR Congo’s medical delivery drones are finally taking flight thanks to Swoop Aero, VillageReach, and the DRC Ministry of Health. The Swoop Aero team announced it was in the country back in October of last year.

Airspace Link has been delivering COVID-19 test kits from hospitals to a lab to speed up testing turnaround times since mid-January. The company has been working with DroneUp and the University of New York (SUNY) to make it happen.

German drone company Wingcopter has raised $22 million in its latest funding round to expand into North America and advance its technology. The company will also use the funds to strengthen its leadership in the market, deliver COVID-19 vaccines, and launch the next delivery drone.