Jop de VriezeScience’s COVID-19 reporting is supported by the Heising-Simons Foundation.People seeking to get tested for COVID-19 by Amsterdam’s Public Health Service (GGD) in February were pioneers: They were the first in the world to be tested using a “breathalyzer” that can sniff out the disease based on a mix of chemical components exhaled by the patient.The approach promises to be faster and less unpleasant than a nose or throat swab, and cheaper.
But soon after its premiere, 25 people who tested negative turned out to have COVID-19 after all, and Amsterdam halted its use.
The Dutch government has decided the device itself was innocent, however, and has not withdrawn its authorization. A commercial testing company is now deploying it.