Istanbul engineers using 3D printers to make masks

Engineers and designers in Istanbul are using 3D printers to generate hundreds of plastic face shields for use by Turkish healthcare workers during the new coronavirus pandemic.

At the Istanbul Technical University, 15 people - including five volunteers - work over twelve hours to make up to 400 visors daily.

Can Onart, an industrial designer, told the Associated Press on Friday the reusable visors are currently being used in nearly 100 hospitals across Turkey.

Healthcare workers submit orders through the lab's website and the finished products are produced and delivered at no cost to the healthcare workers.

Turkey has reported 356 deaths from the new coronavirus outbreak, and over 18,000 confirmed cases.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and could lead to death.

The vast majority of people recover.