Serological tests could potentially allow people who have immunity to return to work.
Hong Kong’s diagnostic kit manufacturing company Medakit has started manufacturing The Medakit Rapid Covid-19 Test Fits antibody for India, a person familiar with the development said Monday. The development is seen as a major relief for India which has a population of 1.3 billion people but was hampered by the lack of testing kits.
Medakit, the biotech startup, which specializes in home tests and diagnosis devices, has created a test kit that detects antibodies directed against the coronavirus that’s sweeping the world.
Instead of deep throat or nose swabs that are intrusive and typically require hours or even days before the results are known, Medakit’ tests use blood samples and a small device that measures antibody response to the virus within 15 minutes.
The United Kingdom has ordered 3.5 million antibody tests, which would show whether someone has been exposed to COVID-19. Such tests, which just take a drop of blood, could help reveal people who have been exposed to the virus and are now likely immune, meaning they could go back to work and resume their normal lives.
Serological tests could potentially allow people who have immunity to return to work. That could be a huge boost to front-line health workers who may have been exposed to the virus but are desperately needed back in action.
What is an antibody test ?