Howard Fisher/Capitol Media Services

With Gov. Doug Ducey looking on, Arizona State University President Michael Crow explains Sept. 24, 2020, how a new virtually instant test for COVID-19 being developed will work.

The state is investing $14 million in public universities’ efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Doug Ducey announced Thursday. These investments are critical to help Arizonans stay safe and healthy, he said. 

$8 million will go toward additional testing, surveillance and other response efforts at all three public universities, such as expanding wastewater testing. 

The other $6 million will help Arizona State University develop a new COVID-19 test known as point-of-need that will provide frontline workers with results in as little as 20 minutes. 

“ASU’s point-of-need testing will be a game changer for frontline workers," Ducey said. "We can’t wait to see it come to life in the near future.”

ASU President Michael Crow believes a prototype will be ready in six months. He describe the test as a devices about the size of a thermometer. 

“You’ll spit into one the most advanced devices that you can possibly imagine," he said. 

The device is equipped with a series of microchips and small laboratory devices that can chemically evaluate the saliva.

"That then communicates with your cellphone, you get the green light, you go to school, you go to work, you go to the game. This is a powerful, powerful thing," Crow said. 

ASU said the ultimate goal is to have these devices available in public places such as doctors’ offices, workplaces and other densely populated areas.