A new antibody test has been certified for use across Europe that boasts to be 99 percent accurate in detecting COVID-19.
Global diagnostics company Abbot is the company behind this game-changing test. It is expecting to ship millions of the lab-based tests across the continent by the end of May.
The test has received a CE mark of certification indicating that it is compliant with EU safety rules and is authorised for use in labs across the UK to look for antibodies created when a person contracts COVID-19.
The test looks for the IgG protein that the human body is known to produce when it gets infected with COVID-19. This specific protein has a tendency to remain in our body for months, years even.
According to Abbot¡¯s claims, its tests have shown a sensitivity of over 99 percent in a person who developed symptoms after 14 days.
The test is also compatible with machines that are currently being used in labs across the UK.
In case you were wondering why is antibody testing such a big deal, it helps in identifying immunity that a patient infected with COVID-19 has developed over time, to keep them safe from the coronavirus in the near future, while allowing them to return to work.
Moreover, the rollout of this antibody test will be really helpful for government measures to end lockdown in the UK that have been imposed starting March 23.
Mike Clayton, managing director of Abbot¡¯s Northern Europe diagnostics division said in a statement, ¡°Abbott has been focused on bringing COVID-19 tests to market as quickly as possible to help address this pandemic.
He added, ¡°We are proud to be able to provide our antibody tests immediately as they will help understand who has had the virus, leading to greater confidence as we get back to living life. We are collaborating with the NHS, public health bodies and private laboratories across the UK to enable this test to be used here."