Clinova Helps Brits Keep Hydrated This Summer With New O.R.S. Additions
Executive Summary
Keeping the UK hydrated is the focus of Clinova's new O.R.S. launches. The firm has also updated its Caidr self-care app to help people manage COVID-19-related health concerns and social distancing measures.
Rates of poor hydration rose in the UK following a heatwave last month, according to UK consumer health firm Clinova.
To help people keep hydrated, the firm has launched a new version of its O.R.S Hydration tablets fortified with vitamin D, which it pointed out was a “crucial nutrient for maintaining a healthy immune system.”
“While the current hot weather may seem like a breath of fresh air following weeks of what has felt for some a little claustrophobic, lockdown now might seem the perfect time to soak up some summer heat,” commented Clinova’s chief medical officer, Dr Tom Bracewell.
“But in warm weather our risk of poor hydration rises, so it becomes more important to keep ourselves hydrated,” he continued. “This is an important part of staying healthy, especially when the body is faced with challenges such as extreme heat or illness.”
Formulated to World Health Organization standards, Clinova’s O.R.S Hydration Tablets add an electrolyte mix to water that “helps the human body quickly absorb fluids, restoring an optimal level of hydration,” the company pointed out.
Clinova added that the addition of vitamin D was a response to recent advice from the UK’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, which stated that taking a Vitamin D supplement can improve patient response to acute respiratory tract infections, such as COVID-19.
The new O.R.S. tablets are available now in mass market retail outlets, pharmacies and online, Clinova said.
Caidr Helps With COVID
Clinova has also added functionality to its Caidr self-care app – which supplied the above data on hydration during June – to help users report COVID-19 symptoms to the relevant medical authorities and manage social distancing regulations coming from the UK government.
Caidr's COVID Traffic Lights
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Green: "I've had COVID-19, but have now been well for two weeks." If users choose green, they may now have strong antibodies that protect them from catching the virus.
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Yellow: "I've never had COVID-19 symptoms." If users choose yellow, the app will keep them a safe distance away from people who have symptoms.
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Red: "I'm in the high-risk group." If users choose red, the app will help protect them from infection by warning if they are near someone who has symptoms.
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Blue: "I have COVID-19 symptoms." When users choose blue, the app will tell them when they’re near someone in the symptomless or high- risk groups.
Designed by practising doctors and pharmacists, alongside Clinova’s tech and AI teams, the app – which is free to download from Apple and Google app stores – advises users of their COVID-19 risk level using a traffic light system, the company explained (see box).
The firm was keen to stress that it would not be sharing user data with any external companies. “At Caidr, we know how important people’s personal data is,” the firm insisted. “We will only use this data to enable us to send notifications that will help protect you and your fellow citizens.”
As a doctor working in primary care, Clinova’s Bracewell said that any technology that could assist with reducing transmission through social distancing was a “potential lifesaver at the moment.”
“In general practice, a large part of the work involves educating patients on health and lifestyle points,” he added. “The Caidr app has the potential to give people the power, information and know-how to support themselves with self-treatment advice and minor ailment information at a crucial time.”