Indonesia uses ‘electronic noses’ to detect Covid on breath

Jakarta, Feb 4 (efe-epa).- Authorities in Indonesia have begun using specially designed devices that function like electronic noses to detect Covid-19 through a person’s breath, becoming one of the first countries in the world to use the technology.

Passengers at Pasar Senen train station in Jakarta on Thursday took the test, which involves blowing into a plastic bag that is analyzed by GeNose detectors, developed by Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta.

The so-called “electronic noses” detect Covid-19 through particles in the breath with an accuracy of more than 90 percent using artificial intelligence technology, their creators said in a statement.

Authorities began the first tests with the detectors on Wednesday, but the official launch will be on Friday.

The GeNose tests, which cost about 20,000 Indonesian rupiah (about $1.40), are cheaper than antigen or PCR tests, which analyze antibodies to detect the coronavirus.

Indonesia is the country most affected by the pandemic in Southeast Asia, with some 1.1 million infections and more than 30,700 deaths among its 270 million inhabitants. EFE-EPA

ind-grc/ks