UK scientists say a non-invasive breath test can identify people with Covid-19 within one minute.

Their test uses 'breath signatures' to rapidly distinguish Covid-19 from other respiratory conditions such as asthma and influenza. 

It identifies different chemical compounds or 'biomarkers' that become more abundant in the breath of people with Covid-19, but not people with these other respiratory conditions. 

Developed as part of a project called TOXI-Triage, the test is less invasive than the two leading tests for detecting Covid-19 – antigen detection and PCR –which involve swabs of bodily fluid.  .They can be uncomfortable for thepatient and may discourage some from going to get a test they desperately need.'. 

As some of the main symptoms of Covid-19 are a continuous cough and breathing difficulties, it can be hard to identify whether people have the illness or are experiencing other respiratory conditions.

The team's aim, therefore, was to identify the biomarkers present in the breath of someone affected by Covid-19 and distinguish those signatures from other respiratory tract infections.

'If shown to be reliable, it offers the possibility for rapid identification or exclusion of Covid-19 in emergency departments or primary care that will protect healthcare staff, improve the management of patients and reduce the spread of Covid-19,” the scientists said.