Prognosis
Chinese Scientists Develop Mask That Detects Covid, Flu Exposure
- Sensor on mask shown to detect small amounts of virus
- Development may aid at-risk populations as mask use declines
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Chinese researchers have developed a mask that lets users know if they’ve been exposed to Covid-19 or the flu, a development that could help vulnerable populations even as the use of face coverings falls and more nations ease virus restrictions.
A sensor built into a mask was able to detect the Covid-19, H5N1 and H1N1 influenza viruses in the air within 10 minutes and send notifications to a device, according to the study led by six scientists working with Tongji University in Shanghai. The peer-reviewed findings were published in the scientific journal Matter on Monday.