A technology company is hoping one of its products, normally used to diagnose asthma, could help detect early signs of coronavirus.

Bedfont, based in Harrietsham, near Maidstone, invents medical devices to improve healthcare, specifically those related to breathing.

One of its creations is the NObreath FeNO monitor - a certified test for airway inflammation, which can detect if someone is suffering from asthma and requires medication.

It is recommended in the official National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance for the condition.

The firm is now suggesting, being as the infection caused by coronavirus can lead to respiratory conditions such as pneumonia, which causes inflammation, NObreath could also be used to detect whether a patient might have Covid-19.

The device also has a disposable mouthpiece and the machine does not need to be held by the patient, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Bedfont was testing its employees before the lock down was enforced by the government, recommending people to work from home when possible.

"Work needs to be done relatively quickly to see whether this might be the case but there's certainly some potential for testing"

In total, all 26 office staff were tested and two who got a positive reading were told to self-isolate for 14 days and then went on to develop symptoms.

South East Health Technology Alliance has since been in touch with Bedfont, and as a response to the plea for more testing to be carried out, the company has recommended its product to the NHS and Department of Health. It is waiting to hear back as to whether it could be used.

A spokesman for the company said: "NObreath testing is quick, easy, non-invasive, and the monitor is portable, which means testing can be performed by healthcare professionals at home."

Managing director Jason Smith added: "As the spread of Covid-19 seems relentless, we find ourselves trying to weather the storm both personally and as a business.

"Being a medical device manufacturer, we are fortunate enough to be in a position where we can try and help."

Meanwhile, a Sevenoaks water filtration company is pledging to have a product which alleviates symptoms of the virus using hydrogen gas.

Osmio Water says its portable "hydroxy gas machines" could help reduce chronic lung inflammation, potentially caused by the illness.

The machines "can be used at home where patients are in distress but not quite hospital critical."

However, despite numerous approaches to medical professionals and politicians, Osmio's calls to get the product mass produced have not been responded to.

A spokesman for the company said: "Hydrogen is not a cure for Covid-19 but is well known for reducing the chronic lung inflammation that, along with viscous secretions, is causing the high death rate as reduced inflammation gives the oxygen a chance of reaching the lungs.

"If used early enough, the machines have the possibility of preventing many cases from becoming critical in the first place and thus potentially help out our overloaded NHS facilities and staff at a minimal cost.

"They can be mass-produced, used time and time again and at a cost of less than a one day stay in hospital."

Medway doctor, Julian Spinks, believes there is a chance Bedfont's NObreath device could be used to test for coronavirus, but says a lot of work still needs to be done beforehand.

He said: "Bedfont is reputable company and the NObreath is indeed recommended by NICE as a test for asthma, but that doesn't mean it could definitely be moved on to diagnose Covid-19. It's quite tricky to say.

"Work needs to be done relatively quickly to see whether this might be the case but there's certainly some potential for testing."

However, Dr Spinks is a little more sceptical of Osmio Water's proposition.

The vice-chairman of Kent Local Medical Committee said: "There is an enormous amount of research being done right now into the diagnoses and treatment of the virus. If the NHS became aware of something which could really help, they would not ignore it."

Dr Spinks added how people also need to be wary of unofficial tests being sold on the internet during the pandemic.

He said: "I saw an advert for a blood test to diagnose Covid on Facebook the other day which you could order online and they've also been some dodgy masks. We've got to be very careful as some people will see the current situation as an opportunity to make money."

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