A Queensland inventor has created a handheld COVID-19 breath testing device, which can detect any virus variants within a minute.

Speaking to Scott Emerson on 4BC Drive, Colin Hickey, Managing Director of Examin Holdings, said it was a very simple device.

“It’s very straightforward. It is exactly like any other breath test. It’s non-invasive, a five-second blow into the device, and that’s all we need to track the virus to determine the exact viral load that you have from very low levels to whatever is possible,” he said. 

“The result is then produced onto a QR code on the screen, and the person who took the test can scan that to get their result.”

Mr Hickey said the device uses a “biosensor” to detect a viral load in your breath within a minute and is similar to blowing into a police breathalyser.

When asked how reliable the user can expect the result to be, Mr Hickey said they had been very successful in precision from the trials that have been completed for two years.

 “We’re in excess of 98 per cent accuracy, and specificity is very high as well, around 97 to 98. In other words, it can tell the difference between one virus and another.”

Industry Minister Angus Taylor today announced a $647,665 grant for the project’s development.

Press PLAY to hear the full interview below