A Canadian firm has developed a wall-mounted device it claims can detect the presence of coronavirus within the air, and ship an alert.

Kontrol Vitality hopes its BioCloud units might be utilized in hospitals, transport methods and colleges – however has no orders as but.

One skilled, who independently examined the system, stated he believed it labored.

However one other informed the BBC it could want many extra checks earlier than he was satisfied of its efficacy.

The device analyses air high quality, samples of that are despatched to a detection chamber that may be arrange for Covid-specific testing. In accordance to the agency, the units use “three unbiased seize strategies” that permit for virus sampling, but it surely doesn’t clarify what these are.

The agency stated it had obtained curiosity within the device from “across the globe”.

“There’s a vital want for know-how that may present us with assurances that the workplaces, colleges, healthcare environments and different areas we bodily occupy are secure and freed from infectious illness,” stated Paul Ghezzi, chief government of Kontrol.

Dr David Heinrichs, professor of microbiology and immunology at Western College in Ontario, stated his lab had examined the device.

“There is no doubt in my thoughts that this know-how can rapidly and successfully detect an array of airborne pathogens, together with the virus that causes Covid-19,” he stated.

However Prof Alan McNally from Birmingham College was not satisfied.

“I feel that is simply one other take a look at being marketed with completely no strong, unbiased validation and testing, and I’d say I’m extraordinarily sceptical on its use.”

He stated that it could want “an unimaginable quantity of unbiased testing”.

He additionally stated it was unclear what the process for colleges and companies could be if the alarm sounded: “How precisely one would act if Covid within the air was detected is moderately past me.”

Kontrol stated it could be up to the administrator of the device to resolve how to proceed, however it could permit “outbreaks to be contained”.

The agency obtained a $50,000 (£38,000) grant from the Nationwide Analysis Council of Canada to develop its BioCloud device.

Every unit will price an estimated $12,000 and the agency hopes to find a way to manufacture up to 20,000 monthly.