Health
UK Minister Welcomes “Game Changing” Coronavirus Immunity Test | Science
The Minister of Health welcomed the UK’s approval of the coronavirus immune test as a game changer. The government has not yet been able to buy the test, but it could allow more people to go to work with confidence.
Edward Argar said the test developed by Roche “looks very reliable and it got green light from the public health British tester “.
He said the government wanted the test to be streamed immediately because it could make a significant difference.
However, the government has admitted that the UK has not purchased the test, as it is still in negotiations to acquire Roche.
Arbor says about the BBC breakfast: .. “
He cannot tell when they will be available to the NHS, and then will be more widely available to the public.
But they make a big difference, he said, as scientific evidence indicates that they may provide some immunity.
He said this could “change the way people work” because people are convinced that they can’t get coronaviruses or infect others.
Antibody testing may be of great benefit when the country breaks out of the blockade, as the presence of antibodies to the virus in the blood proves who has it. However, it is still unclear whether a person has immunity and, if so, how long that immunity will last.
This test may be used to find out if people in certain parts of the country, or in certain professions, have Covid-19, but immune passports for individuals to resume social life are Not given yet.
The Roche antibody test is not a home finger-click test that caused a wave of excitement when Professor Sharon Peacock told MP members on March 25, saying to the MP’s committee: Can be purchased in a few days..
Oxford University was then testing several versions of a home-use antibody test that looked like a pregnancy test. But all failed to reach the standard.
The highest precision was 70% and most were said to be less than 50%. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has bought $ 3 million and is seeking a government refund.
Roche’s test was approved by the EU in early May, According to US Food and Drug Administration It is 99.8% specific for Covid-19 – not confused with antibodies to other coronaviruses that cause colds – because it has 100% sensitivity, it picks up all the antibodies that are present.
It works on blood samples taken by medical professionals at least 14 days after a person has Covid-19.
of Elecsys Anti-Sars-CoV-2 serology test It is processed in the laboratory using the Roche analyzer already used in the hospital. According to Roche, a fully automated system can deliver results in about 18 minutes in one test and can run 300 tests per hour, depending on the analyzer.
Professor John Newton, national coordinator of the UK Coronavirus Testing Program, said he had evaluated the test with a telegraph expert at PHE’s Porton Down Lab and confirmed 100% accuracy.
“This is a very positive development, because such a highly specific antibody test is a very reliable marker of past infections,” he said.