Published 21:23 IST, October 20th 2020
COVID-19: Singapore researchers develop breath test that can detect virus in a minute
Marking another striking innovation, researchers in Singapore have developed a breath test that can detect COVID-19 in people within a minute.
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Marking ar striking invation, researchers in Singapore have developed a breath test that can detect COVID-19 within a minute. As per National University of Singapore, which developed test, a person is only required to blow in a disposable mouthpiece connected to “high precision breath sampler” to find out if he has contracted lethal infection. test comes as Singapore is moving towards phase three of easing coronavirus induced restrictions.
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Analysed for Volatile Organic Compound
According to PTI, after person has exhaled in breath sampler, his/her brea is collected and fed to a “mass spectrometer” for measurement. machine learning software n analyses breath for its Volatile Organic compound and produces results within one minute. Till w, test has received 90 per cent accuracy, Channel News Asia reported citing NUS statement.
“Different diseases cause specific changes to compounds, resulting in detectable changes in a person’s breath profile. As such, VOCs can be measured as markers for diseases like COVID-19”, Beathonix CEO Dr Jia was quoted as saying by PTI.
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This comes as Singapore reported six new cases on October 20. As of w, country has reported over 57,921 cases, official data stated. Last week, Singapore’s Transport Ministry released guidelines wherein y state that employers must allow ir employees to work from home during morning and ir employees can travel to office during n-peak hours of day. government lifted certain restrictions from September 28 onwards and as a result, it has allowed more people to work from office, reby increasing number of people using public transport system.
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Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung has ded that employers should be flexible in changing ir work habits in regards to time and place of work. Minister reiterated that by allowing workers to work from home and travel during off-peak hours, transport system can transport more people and at same time remain less crowded.
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Representative Im/Cancer Research UK
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21:22 IST, October 20th 2020