The Food and Drug Administration finally approved the first COVID-19 breath sample test on Thursday.
The FDA claims that the InspectIR Covid-19 Breathalyzer test may result in three minutes if performed by a skilled operator.
CDC said in a statement that the test identifies compounds linked to the virus that causes the sickness in a breath sample. If it's positive, a molecular test should be performed.
FDA Gives First COVID-19 Breath Test A Go Signal
According to CNN, the US Food and Drug Administration has authorized the first-ever COVID-19 test that uses breath samples.
The InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer, according to the news source, is the first COVID testing tool to identify the novel coronavirus from a person's breath.
The newly approved breath test searches for any chemical molecule similar to COVID in a person's breath.
About The COVID-19 Breathalyzer
The FDA stated that the InspectIR COVID Breathalyzer is compact enough to be utilized in small settings like clinics and satellite testing facilities.
According to recent research, the COVID breath test offers reliable negative readings of up to 99.3 percent, whereas positive samples have an accuracy of 91 percent.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 Breathalyzer exhibited the same degree of accuracy for the more transmissible version of the virus, the renowned Omicron, in the same research with 2,409 subjects.
CNET explained when a positive COVID-19 result is obtained from a breath test, FDA will demand a follow-up PCR molecular test. On the other hand, negative results would eliminate the need for further testing.
ABC News added that the FDA said that InspectIR, the company behind the first permitted Breathalyzer, intends to deploy about 100 testing units every week.
According to the US health agency, the advent of the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer will enhance testing capacity in the nation by around 64,000 per month.
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FDA's COVID-19 Test
Dr. Jeff Shuren, head of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, stated that the approval of breath testing demonstrates that COVID-19 diagnosis is fast evolving.
The FDA director said the agency continues to encourage the development of innovative COVID-19 tests.
As a result, the advancements in COVID testing should assist the United States in dealing with not just the current outbreak but also future pandemics. Instead, it should help the country deal with the public health crises that are still looming.
What Makes This Test Special
This non-invasive gadget, according to Canadian specialists, might not only make testing easier but also lower transmission rates in high-risk areas.
Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious diseases physician and researcher at Dalhousie University, told Global News that the significant benefit of a breath test is that everyone breaths.
Barrett added that it is easy to use, not too expensive and sensitive enough for accurate results.
She went on to say that one of the major advantages would be the turnaround time.
Rapid antigen tests, which may be purchased and conducted at home, are becoming more popular in Canada.
According to Dr. Raywat Deonandan, an epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of Ottawa, the breath test is more accurate than the quick antigen test, with a sensitivity of 91%.
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