First discovered in January 2020 in Wuhan, China and currently responsible for over 5 million deaths worldwide, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, continues to be a critical threat. This is especially true as new variants appear, some more transmissible than the original strain.^1,2,3

IQAir quickly responded to an epidemic that became a pandemic by helping hospitals protect staff and patients from the virus.

IQAir supplies air purifiers to key hospitals in Wuhan

At the outset, IQAir provided HealthPro Plus air purifiers to hospitals in Wuhan designated to treat people infected by the coronavirus. First to receive the purifiers were the radiology unit, respiratory unit, and others at Tongji Hospital, affiliated with the Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, as well as to Wuhan Union Hospital. 

IQAir also worked with its global supply chain to help give priority to the delivery of IQAir Masks to hospitals in the Wuhan region.

How IQAir helped during the SARS virus outbreak

According to public health officials, the current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus comes from the same family of viruses as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1) that killed 774 people in 2003.^4,5,6

During that epidemic, IQAir air purifiers were rigorously tested for virus control by the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, which then selected them to protect patients and staff in its 43 hospitals and 47 outpatient clinics.

The respiratory unit of Peking University People's Hospital in Beijing, China also purchased numerous IQAir HealthPro Plus systems during the SARS outbreak in 2003 — over 16 years later, the systems are still in stable operation.

Called upon again in a time of need

In 2020, the Hong Kong Hospital Authority once more relied on IQ Air technology to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, only one air purifier on the market has a 20-year history of assisting in the campaign against the spread of airborne viruses. IQAir’s HealthPro Plus has been used to reduce the spread of SARS, swine flu, bird flu, COVID-19 and other airborne viruses by hospitals and medical centers around the world.

"The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is a tragedy for all affected. We hope that the concerted efforts taken will ultimately help us win the fight against this deadly virus," said Frank Hammes, global CEO of IQAir. "We salute the thousands of healthcare workers that are risking their lives to help others in this time of need."