Alabama State University News December 17, 2020 ASU First in Nation for Draganfly's Varigard Drone-Applied COVID-19 Sanitizer! Alabama State University President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., has announced that the University will be utilizing drone technology in implementing the campus's next layer of protection against COVID-19. "We are the first University in the country to use this cutting-edge technology," Ross said during a news conference held in the ASU Stadium on December 16. The drone technology is patented by Draganfly, Inc., which is the exclusive flight services provider of the new pathogen and virus sanitizer, Varigard, which is a patented, bio-based organic sanitizer "that has been lab tested to sequester and kill COVID-19, STAPH, E Coli and other viruses." Following the news conference, a high-tech demonstration of the drone delivery system of Varigard was staged in the stadium with an actual spraying of seats and other surfaces. Ross said Varigard and the Draganfly drones have great implications for use in the stadium and the Dunn-Oliver Acadome. The University began its partnership with Draganfly earlier this year with the installation of the company's Smart Vital Technology and social distancing units as part of ASU's COVID-19 protocol to keep faculty, students and staff safe. "Because of our overall safety protocols, which includes sentinel testing, we have been able to keep COVID-19 cases to around two percent of our entire campus population. Draganfly's technology is a part of our being able to keep those numbers down," Ross commented during the news conference. "Today, we continue our partnership with Draganfly by using its Varigard product. We are excited about this new sanitizer and its innovative delivery method." In a statement by the manufacturer, Draganfly asserts that Varigard's sanitizers have been "proven to sequester and kill COVID-19, STAPH, MRSA, E Coli, and pneumonia for a minimum of two hours on skin and 24 hours on surfaces." Ross was joined at the news conference by Alabama State Senator Bobby Singleton, Draganfly executive Johnny Greene, Varigard representative Mike Paolillo, retired State Senator Gerald Dial, ASU Trustee Delbert Madison and others within the University, Draganfly and Vanguard leadership. "We are utilizing this new worldwide product at ASU in an effort to continue keeping our campus as safe as possible from this global pandemic," said Senator Singleton, who is also an ASU alumnus. ABOUT VARIGARD Varigard is located in Foley, Ala., and specializes in preventing the spread of pathogens using their patented bio-based organic sanitizers. Both their hand sanitizing gel and surface spray have been independently verified to sequester pathogens for extended periods of time, which prevents their ability to spread. DRAGANFLY TECHNOLOGY INSTALLED EARLIER AT ASU ASU installed at the beginning of its Fall 2020 semester, Draganfly's Smart Vital technology and social distancing units across its campus as part of its COVID-19 protocol to keep students, faculty, staff and visitors safe. "Alabama State University has been a true partner, utilizing our Smart Vital and social distancing units," said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. "We are thrilled to continue working with Dr. Ross and his team's amazing vision and leadership in keeping this campus safe by implementing safety protocols, including Draganfly's Varigard spraying program." ASU installed Draganfly's Vital Intelligence Smart Vital Assessment Station and Vital Sign Screening technology at the beginning of its Fall 2020 semester. The systems provide a quick, non-invasive (contactless) and anonymous measurement of an elevated body temperature and with voluntary consent, the person's heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen saturation level. The University also installed Draganfly's Social Distancing Awareness unit which helps reinforce compliance with social distancing guidelines. All of these devices are American made and managed. PRESIDENT ROSS SAYS IT'S ALL ABOUT CAMPUS SAFETY President Ross concluded his remarks by emphasizing that he welcomes the use of this new Varigard technology on campus because of its ability to help combat the spread of COVID-19. "Our mission at Alabama State University is safety first, which these technologies help us attain for our students and employees," Ross said. For more information on Draganfly: Visit www.draganfly.com<https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=zwj1C31pC_by_m7aZgagSgPDoZwcgakhskVLh5porYf2OUWZNenniBS9pyPQTOUcxkzxTS-Fu22ZN54K86Stjw==> or contact its news media representative, Arian Hopkins, at her email: media@draganfly.com<https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=n-sHGWMT0UdLrICt9RFcJyHqEtNiAcL0TkXIa9d7RgkY8b0spcffpZZF_BZ994202IyfHmN8Vo9jpZqKErCOUVWICnyW01O2awLpmRsDCc8=>. For more information about Alabama State University, visit www.alasu.edu<https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=V4HEmIcHMVnSs7uqgTIwm_tQPSODERU1hAZoaTG5ETUZ6J2WwnQSOWQAQqvd_GYUDUWuix17iyvEE1IxOp3qxQ==>. ASU's news media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104. Sandra M. Phoenix HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. 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