The fifth wave of the pandemic had a significant impact on Hong Kong communities, especially on senior residents. One of the most affected groups was senior citizens living in the homes for the elderly.

There is an extremely urgent need to improve existing air ventilation facilities to reduce cross-infection potential in elderly homes. However, limited by space, time, building configuration, financial resources and manpower, improving the current air ventilation systems in these places is very difficult. Also, since homes for the elderly and short-term senior-care service centres are scattered around Hong Kong, providing critical and necessary technical support to improve air ventilation systems is a big challenge.

“Project Smangus: Air Shield for Senior Health” was initiated by a volunteer team, including professors and students in architecture studies at City University of Hong Kong. It started immediately after Chinese New Year in 2022, when the pandemic situation worsened.

The project aims to provide a solution for the challenges mentioned above, helping to reduce the spread of airborne COVID-19 and other viruses caused by undesirable indoor airflow.

Based on scientific simulation studies and many rounds of architectural design, the team designed a prototype of D.I.Y. Negative Pressure Air Shield Device. Features of this new type of air shield device include low cost, easy-to-obtain materials, and simple assembly, which does not require the assistance of professionals.

Our innovative design was well covered by the media, and appreciated by healthcare staff, Legislative Council members, and the Social Welfare Department.

In this development round, we will collaborate with nursing teams in local elderly homes to do more on-site installations and tests. The team will also conduct in-depth discussion sessions with front-line health-care teams to improve the operability of the device.

Finally, the device with be improved to meet manufacturing requirements for mass-customised production and rapid deployment.

The outcomes of this project involve helping nursing homes carry out rapid isolation measures to protect the health of other seniors by breaking the chain of airborne transmission of COVID-19. It will provide practical and convenient emergency response equipment for elderly homes in Hong Kong in case of a sudden outbreak of airborne disease transmission in the future.