Not a cotton swab deep in your nose, but a device that you have to blow into. For many people, and especially children, the breathalyzer is a more pleasant alternative to be tested for corona.
After a trial period, the breath test has been officially used since January 29 at two test locations in Amsterdam: the Buikslotermeerplein and the RAI. This happened after a positive advice from the OMT, the team of experts.
Available nationwide
At the time, Minister Hugo de Jonge (Public Health) indicated that the breathalyzer tests would be introduced nationally. In every GGD region (in total there are 25 regions) it would soon have to be possible to test in this way.
But today there is bad news from the GGD Amsterdam. A spokesperson said after questions from RTL Nieuws that these breath tests will be stopped for the time being.
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Wrong test result
The reason? “Last week it turned out that a few people after a negative breath test shortly afterwards with a PCR test (the standard test) still got a positive result,” says a spokesman for the GGD Amsterdam. “No test is 100 percent reliable, but because this is a new test, we are err on the side of caution and temporarily stop.”
According to the GGD, analysis shows that the incorrect test results are probably caused by incorrectly taking the breath test. More attention is needed for this. After consultation with experts, an extra test phase will probably follow to check the points for improvement.
Until then, preparations for introducing the breathalyzer test at other GGD locations will also be halted. These are the Amsterdam test locations Zuidoost, Noord, Sloterdijk and the GGD test location in Venray.
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Extra test phase
Rianne de Vries of Breathomix, the company behind the breathalyzer, says she is surprised at the reaction of the GGD. “Our research showed that less than half a percent of the results are in doubt about the result of the test.”
The company therefore insists: “Our test is outperforming any other test.”
According to De Vries, the test is not performed properly. A number of conditions must be met for proper implementation. For example, there must be sufficient internet speed at the test location and no disinfectant containing alcohol may be used. “If you don’t take the test properly, the breathalyzer test is not reliable,” says De Vries.
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Improper use of the test
According to the manufacturer, things go wrong there. “We have found that the GGD has not properly prepared the test streets for its use. The test is only as good as the people who use it.”
Because the GGD employees would not take the test properly, the company wanted to stop the collaboration itself for the time being. “On Friday we informed the ministry in a letter that we are temporarily suspending cooperation with the GGD”, says De Vries.
It is not yet known when the breath test will be used again.
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Advice OMT
The OMT previously (January 11) gave a positive advice about the use of the breathalyzer as the first screening method. A big advantage of the test is that you do not have to go deep with a cotton swab and that a result is quickly available. According to them, a negative breath test result is actually negative in 98 percent of the cases. According to the OMT, people who get a positive result after the breath test should undergo an additional test for definitive confirmation of the result.
On the basis of this OMT advice, the ministry decided to order more of these corona bladder tests, so that they could be used more widely. There is therefore a line for the time being.
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