Researchers in Singapore have developed a prototype “breathmeter” that can precisely and accurately diagnose Covid-19 in less than 5 minutes, even in asymptomatic individuals.
People who are asymptomatic can transmit Covid-19 to others, making it important to identify and isolate them until they are no longer contagious. Tests that can detect Covid-19 from the breath can be used to quickly screen people attending large gatherings such as conferences and weddings.
Can detect Covid-19 in 5 minutes from breathalyzer
The gold standard for Covid-19 testing is a technique called reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, commonly known as PCR testing. However, this technique is typically slow, requires an uncomfortable nasopharyngeal swab to collect samples, and must be performed in the laboratory. Rapid antigen testing is much faster, but has a higher rate of false negative and positive results.
A research team from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has developed a breathalyzer type breath test for Covid-19 that will be “fast, convenient and accurate” suitable for on-site screening of large numbers of people.
When a person breathes into the device for 10 seconds, the compounds in the breath chemically interact with the sensors. The researchers then load the breathalyzer onto the portable Raman spectrometer, which characterizes the SERS sensors based on changes in their molecular vibrations.
The researchers tested the breathalyzer at hospitals and airports in Singapore on 501 people who showed negative (85.2 percent), positive and symptomatic (8.6 percent), or positive and asymptomatic (6.2 percent) PCR test results.
The method had a false-negative rate of 3.8 percent and a false-positive rate of 0.1 percent compared to PCR tests, but it was surprising, with results in less than 5 minutes. Researchers said that the breathalyzer could be a new tool for Covid-19 in the coming period.
You can share your opinions about the detection of Covid-19 in 5 minutes with a breathalyzer in the comments section and on the SDN Forum.
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