Researchers in Singapore have done it again, paving the way for some respite from fear and phobia. If you did not believe in the benefit of appropriately used (and natural fiber for many) masks before, this will offer more clarity on how a mask can be preventive and protective.
Here is an article explaining new technology breath analyzers that will be implemented in Singapore for Covid Safety and detection.
SINGAPORE: Researchers in Singapore have developed a breath test to detect Covid-19 within a minute as authorities are working on a roadmap for the phase three of easing of safety measures in the country.
A person would simply have to blow into a disposable mouthpiece connected to a “high-precision breath sampler”, according to the National University of Singapore (NUS) researchers.
The test, which detects Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in a person's breath, achieved more than 90 per cent accuracy in a clinical trial involving 180 patients, Channel News Asia reported, citing the NUS statement.
The exhaled breath is then collected and fed into a mass spectrometer for measurement. A machine learning software subsequently analyses the VOC profile and generates the result in less than a minute.
The technology, developed by NUS start-up Breathonix, “offers a fast and convenient solution to identify Covid-19 infection”, said the university.
VOCs are consistently produced by various biochemical reactions in human cells, explained Breathonix CEO Dr Jia Zhunan.
“Different diseases cause specific changes to the compounds, resulting in detectable changes in a person's breath profile. As such, VOCs can be measured as markers for diseases like Covid-19,” Dr Jia was quoted as saying.
The firm's chief operating officer Du Fang said that the system's disposable mouthpiece has a one-way valve and a saliva trap which prevents inhalation and any saliva from entering the machine.
“This makes cross-contamination unlikely,” said Du.
Singapore is also working on a roadmap for the phase three of easing of safety measures under the circuit breaker, or semi-lockdown, to control the spread of Covid-19, according to the Channel report.
The Covid-19 multi-ministry task force said that the city-state will remain in Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) Orange “for the time being”, the highest alert.
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