Heat’s New Secret Weapon – COVID Sniffing Dogs
By Jarrod Mains
The Miami Heat have finally begun playing in front of live fans at the American Airlines Arena in Miami this week, but with a catch…or maybe a fetch. They must first pass a coronavirus detection dog test.
This week the Heat not only began allowing a maximum of 1,500 live fans back into home games but have also introduced a first in America – “coronavirus detection dogs.” These dogs have been trained to detect COVID-19 by smelling fans and employees before they enter the AA Arena for the game.
Thursday’s game against the Clippers marked the first time fans have been allowed inside the AA Arena since the start of the pandemic last year. Heat officials have said if the dog sits down next to you, there is no argument as to whether or not you can remain at the arena as this portrays a positive COVID-19 detection.
You must leave the property and not enter the game but will of course get a refund for your ticket. Dogs have been used to sniff-out explosives for decades now at major sporting events.
So is it really that surprising they can also sniff-out viruses? To me, yes it was!
I had no idea but after a little research it seems dogs have been detecting diseases for quite some time, including cancer, with almost 97% accuracy. The data is still raw, but promising.