UC San Diego development patch that works like a simple COVID-19 test on masks

SAN DIEGO (KABC) – Researchers at UC San Diego are developing a simple way to test the risk of COVID-19. The technology comes in the form of an adhesive placed on the outside of the mask.

“This can have a really profound impact on the path of the pandemic,” Jesse Jokerst, associate professor at the University of California at San Diego, told KGTV.

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The test looks for the presence of a specific COVID-19 protease in people’s breathing. As someone wears the patch on the mask throughout the day, it collects drops.

“At the end of the day, you click on a small blister pack and if it changes color it means that you may have been exposed to COVID and that you should look for some additional tests,” said Jokerst.

The test uses a technique called “Colorimetric Detection”, similar to home pregnancy test indicators.

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Jokerst likens it to a smoke detector. The test will not tell you exactly what is going on, but it does serve as a warning that you need to take other security measures.
“This is what we were trying to develop. It is a device that could say, ‘Hey, today there is a high risk and everyone should look for some additional testing,'” explained Jokerst.

This type of color-based testing has never been used for virus detection.

Jokerst says that, once the pandemic ends, these tests can still assess the risk of diseases like SARS and MERS.

KGTV contributed to this report.

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