Bainbridge Island has been chosen as a study site for the U-Smell-It LLC’s rapid COVID-19 testing competition.
U-Smell-It specializes in innovative COVID detection techniques. It is part of a competition that will last six months to develop faster, cheaper and easier-to-use COVID testing methods.
U-Smell-It has filed for an Emergency Use Authorization with the Food and Drug Administration, the release says. The test detects deficiencies in the sense of smell – a common symptom of COVID. The test involves a test card with five scent areas, such as banana and mint. Results are ready in 45 seconds. The company says U-Smell-It can produce 100 million tests per day, with an end cost of 50 cents per test.
Locally, the BI Paper Test Project, founded by community members Cynthia Bellas and Dr. Blain Crandell, started seven months ago and has been advocating for rapid testing.
The group is trying to raise roughly $250,000 to handle distribution costs, technology, administration and materials. Bellas said they don’t need all the money to start, but the sooner they raise funds the easier the setup will be.
She hopes to get the project started in a month or two. To donate go to www.gofundme.com/f/bi-paper-test-project?qid=e95816cd7d175e00d3d804c05bf895dc.
The next steps for Bainbridge include getting the tests shipped here and figuring out the distribution plans and process, Bellas said, adding they have to build the app to connect with the state Department of Health or Kitsap Public Health District if they are interested in monitoring the results.
The BI Paper Test Project has received over 500 written responses from community members indicating their interest. Their goal is to get 7,500 people involved in the study.
“Once we raise enough money, we can mail the tests to people directly,” Bellas said. “We may distribute them from a central distribution location. They’re in packs of thirty tests. That’s basically enough for a couple to use at least once every two days for a month.”
When using the app, you first need to scan the barcode on the card. Then, there are five places on the card to rub and smell. The app asks you to identify each square as you progress through the test. At the end of the test, you’ll either receive a green or red light. Green means you don’t have olfactory dysfunction, and red means that you do, which could be an indication of COVID.
“About 72 percent of people, either asymptomatic or symptomatic, do lose their sense of smell when they have COVID,” Bellas said. “A lot of people wouldn’t even notice it; it can be very nuanced. It is a very reliable indicator.”
Nonprofit IslandWood is the project’s fiscal sponsor. If interested in participating in the study, email rapidtestsbi@gmail.com with your name and address.
