FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of New COVID-19 Breath Sample Test
The test, authorized last week, can provide results in as little as three minutes.
- By Alex Saurman
- Apr 19, 2022
Last week, the FDA authorized the emergency use of a new test to detect COVID-19 with a breath sample.
According to a press release, named InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer, the test can provide results in three minutes. It’s the size of carry-on luggage and can be used in medical facilities, including testing sites, under the supervision of a health care professional.
To test the accuracy of the breathalyzer, a study was conducted with 2,409 people. The breathalyzer correctly identified 91.2 percent of positive COVID-19 samples and correctly identified 99.3 percent of negative COVID-19 samples. It was later tested on the omicron variant with similar results.
Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health said in the press release, “The FDA continues to support the development of novel COVID-19 tests with the goal of advancing technologies that can help address the current pandemic and better position the U.S. for the next public health emergency.”
Photo: Shutterstock.com
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.