COVID-19: Researchers develop 'breathalyser' like device to detect virus in seconds

Scientists have developed a proto device that will detect COVID-19 in seconds. device is similar to a breathalyser machine that is able to detect alcohol consumption in a person’s body. It has been developed by researchers from University of Science and Techlogy of China.

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Researchers develop a device to detect COVID-19

COVID-19 held world in its clasp and forced nations to impose lockdowns and quarantine. Even after months, virus continues to spre at same rate, and only a few countries have been able to get rid of virus. Many countries, including India, have started reopening public places and people have started interacting with each or.

This proto device shall prove to be very useful to spot someone with COVID-19. Up till w, people entering any premise are tested with an IR rmometer. While it helps to check body temperature, it is unable to detect asymptomatic patients of COVID-19.

When a COVID-19 positive person would be detected at entrance of any premise, y shall be quarantined. device has potential to detect an asymptomatic COVID positive person as well. This will prevent affected person to contract with ors.

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Researchers from University of Science and Techlogy of China have developed this device. According to reports in Indiatimes.com, researchers have developed a sensor based on special materials me of ultrasmall naparticles that are capable of detecting COVID-19. A person will have to take an exhaled breath, just like one does for a breathalyser test. device is developed from an array of naparticles of gold that were fused to molecules. se particles are extremely sensitive to volatile organic compounds or VOCs. sensors in device are me to look for COVID-19 virus.

Reportedly, researchers asked COVID patients to stand from a distance of 2 centimetres and brea into device for a few seconds. Whenever device indicated that a person was COVID positive, researchers took down data to check accuracy of device. Reportedly, researchers claim that device has an accuracy of 76% in finding COVID-19 patients.

It has an accuracy rate of 95% when it has to distinguish between a person with COVID-19 virus and or lung infections person might be having. Reportedly, researchers claim to have an accuracy rate of 88% in detecting a sick person from a recovered COVID-19 patient.

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