‘Promising’ breathalyzer-style COVID test highlights need for better data, experts say – CBC
As scientists try to make testing easier, doctors raise concerns about incomplete information
Apr 28, 2022
New ways of testing for COVID-19 bring promises of accessibility and fast results, but that doesn’t diminish the need for consistent national data on case counts, experts say.
As Canada loses track of case counts, a variety of new COVID testing technologies are emerging across North America. In mid-April, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first breath test for the virus, known as the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer. And in Canada, scientists from Waterloo, Ont., are developing a saliva test on paper.
The InspectIR breath test is the size of a carry-on suitcase. No swabs are required; instead, users blow into a straw for roughly 10 seconds, long enough to fill up a small balloon. It can detect a chemical signature of the virus and provide results within three minutes, according to a study performed across the U.S.
Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/covid-breathalyzer-1.6433309
