SINGAPORE: A one-minute Covid breath test has been approved for trial use in Singapore, according to the local startup that developed the screening.

Officials from Breathonix, a company affiliated with the National University of Singapore, said they have begun work with the health ministry to host a trial of the Covid screening at one of the nation’s border crossings with Malaysia.

The breath analysis will be conducted simultaneously with the compulsory COVID-19 antigen rapid test.

The cost of the test ranges from $3.76 to $15.00 each.

During clinical trials, the breath test was found to be more than 90 percent accurate, according to company officials.

After blowing into the Breathonix device, the chemical compounds of the breath are analyzed to indicate whether a person is infected with Covid.

Disposable mouthpieces are used for each test. If a person produces a positive breath test, he would then undergo a COVID-19 swab test, the company said.

Breathonix officials said there has been strong interest overseas in their system, and discussions have begun to purchase the product.

Indonesia and the Netherlands are now using similar Covid breath test devices.

Singapore has recently seen an increase in Covid infections, with 24 cases reported on Monday.