Can Covid-19 Be Smelled?

The U.K. government is sponsoring a study in which researchers will try to train six labradors and cocker spaniels to detect Covid-19—even in people before they exhibit symptoms, according to CNN. 

Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Health are presenting the dogs with facemasks and nylon socks worn by people with Covid-19. 

Meanwhile overseas, San Rafael, California-based Koniku, says it’s engaged in a “quite preliminary” phase with the FDA to bring an odor detection machine to market that may be able to detect coronavirus, CEO and founder Oshiorenoya ‘Osh’ Agabi told Forbes.

Agabi hopes to launch tests of the technology, which is based on living cells that react with target molecular compounds in the air, in airports by the fourth quarter.

Agabi says people would breathe into a Koniku device before entering the airport, and they would subsequently be granted entry if deemed healthy.

He also hopes the device will be used at stadiums, grocery stores and other places where mass gatherings occur.