That’s the question explored by Kang Mao, Hua Zhang, and Zhugen Yang in this paper, published in March of this year.

Paper analytical devices are easy to stack, store, and transport because they are thin and lightweight, and since they can be incinerated after use, they reduce the risk of further contamination.

The researchers summarize “the paper-based device has the potential to be used as a small, portable device to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater on site and to track virus carriers in the community.”