A woman gives a breath sample for a GeNose C19 COVID-19 breath test, similar to the one just approved in the U.S.Photo: HOTLI SIMANJUNTA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The Food and Drug Administration gave emergency use authorization for the firstCOVID-19 testthat uses breath samples to detect the virus, the agency said Thursday.
The test can pick up chemicals in the breath and detect five compounds that are associated with COVID-19, and if it comes back positive it should be verified with a molecular test like a PCR test, the FDA said.
“Today’s authorization is yet another example of the rapid innovation occurring with diagnostic tests for Covid-19,” Jeff Shuren, the director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health,said in a statement.
The InspectIR is about the size of a piece of carry-on luggage, and can be used in testing clinics, doctor’s offices and hospitals. One machine can analyze about 160 samples a day.
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This latest testing innovation comes as COVID-19 cases are again rising in the U.S. asthe omicron subvariant BA.2 spreads. BA.2 is now the dominant strain in the country, accounting for 86% of all cases, according to theCenters for Disease Control.
But while cases are up, hospitalizations and deaths have continued to decline, thanks to the vaccination rate and this milder form of the virus. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are averaging around 14,600 a day, a 12% decrease over the last two weeks, and the U.S. is seeing about 500 deaths a day, down 28%.
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
