A Novel Olfactory Self-Test Effectively Screens for COVID-19

摘要: Key to curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic are wide-scale testing strategies1,2. An ideal test is one that would not rely on transporting, distributing, and collecting physical specimens. Given olfactory impairment associated with COVID-193-7, we developed a novel measure of perception relies smelling household odorants rating them online. We tested performance this real-time tool in 12,020 participants from 134 countries who provided 171,500 perceptual ratings 60 different odorants. observed were indicative status country, significantly correlating national infection rates over time. More importantly, remarkable power at individual level (90% sensitivity 80% specificity). Critically, remained highly effective but without symptoms, symptoms COVID-19. In this, current odorant-based stands apart symptom-checkers (including symptom-checkers)3, even antigen tests8, potentially provide first line screening can help halt disease progression population level.