NewsCoronavirus

Actions

Scientists working on COVID-19 breathalyzer

The test can be 90% more accurate than an alcohol breathalyzer
COVID Testing
Posted at 10:27 AM, Feb 08, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-08 13:27:53-05

(KERO) — Scientists are working on a breathalyzer test for COVID. The research started in April at the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology.

It works similar to an alcohol breathalyzer except it can detect the virus.

The goal is to identify whether a person has COVID even if they don't have symptoms. It could help in being able to see people who are at high-risk for the virus, like those in nursing homes.

So far researchers believe they can make the COVID breathalyzer more than 90-percent accurate. They hope to mass-produce it by the end of summer. It would likely be priced around $50.