UC San Diego is developing sticker that works as a simple COVID-19 test on masks

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

“It could have a really profound impact on the trajectory of the pandemic,” Jesse Jokerst, associate professor at UC San Diego, told KGTV.

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The test looks for the presence of a specific COVID-19 protease in people’s breath. When someone wears the sticker on the mask throughout the day, it collects droplets.

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

The test uses a technique called “colorimetric detection,” similar to home pregnancy test indicators.

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Jokerst compares it to a smoke alarm. The test won’t tell you exactly what’s going on, but it serves as a warning that you need to take additional safety measures.
“This is what we were trying to develop. It’s a device that could say, “Hey, today there’s a high risk, and everyone should be looking for further testing,” Jokerst explained.

This type of color-based test has never been used for viral detection.

Jokerst says that once the pandemic is over, these tests could still assess the risk of diseases like SARS and MERS.

KGTV contributed to this report.

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