'Promising' breathalyzer-style COVID test highlights need for better data, experts say

New ways of testing for COVID-19 bring promises of accessibility and fast results, but that doesn't diminish the need for consistent national data on case counts, experts say. 

As Canada loses track of case counts, a variety of new COVID testing technologies are emerging across North America. In mid-April, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first breath test for the virus, known as the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer. And in Canada, scientists from Waterloo, Ont., are developing a saliva test on paper. 

The Inspect IR breath test is the size of a carry-on suitcase. No swabs are required; instead, users blow into a straw for roughly 10 seconds, long enough to fill up a small balloon. It can detect a chemical signature of the virus and provide results within three minutes, according to a study performed across the U.S.  

According to the FDA, the breathalyzer was validated in a large study of 2,409 people; some of the participants had symptoms of COVID-19, while others were asymptomatic. Data provided by Inspect IR shows results have over 90 per cent accuracy in detecting the virus. 

"Basically it's the equivalent of a breathalyzer you would take or an alcohol test you would take as a driver," said Dr. Vanessa Allen, medical microbiologist at the University Health Network/Mount Sinai Hospital microbiology lab. 

Allen says the breath test is an example of testing that's becoming cheaper, faster and more accessible to people.

"It doesn't have the portability that I think we're looking for in terms of diagnostic tests, but still offers some promise in terms of being able to use it potentially in outpatient clinics, family practices," she said. "Overall, I think it's very exciting. 

"This trend towards getting tests into the home I think will empower people to make safe decisions," said Allen.

It could take up to 10 more weeks for the first devices to hit the market, according to The New York Times. It's unclear whether the Texas-based company of five employees has plans to submit a request to Health Canada for approval of the device and whether it might eventually be available here.

But it's critical that Canada diversify ways in which people can get their infections confirmed quickly, so they can find out whether they're eligible for antivirals, said Dr. Catherine Hankins, co-chair of Canada's COVID-19 immunity task force.

"We need to look at the details and … understand what's going to be required for Health Canada approval, but this is promising," said Hankins.

Molecular tests — like a PCR test — have been considered the gold standard throughout the pandemic. 

But while PCR tests are the most sensitive, they're also the most labour-intensive when it comes to health-care resources, Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious disease physician and researcher at Halifax's Dalhousie University said. Rapid antigen tests, meanwhile, might be fast, but the results aren't as accurate. 

This new breath test might be a solution that falls somewhere in the middle, Barrett said.