THE UK has millions of coronavirus antibody tests – but NONE of them are good enough to use, the new testing chief has admitted. The Government has ordered 17.5 million antibody kits – …
Despite this, government scientists are hoping to work with companies to improve the performance of the antibody tests they currently have - and Prof Newton said he was "optimistic" one of the antibody tests would come good in the coming months.Health Secretary Matt Hancock admitted himself the Government still doesn't have a reliable antibody kitHe said that several of the antibody kits had failed accuracy tests - with three in four positive results being missed.
Antigens are found on the surface of invading pathogens, including coronavirus. Testing for antigens can determine whether someone is currently carrying the virus and are actively infectious. In recent days, there's been a lot of talk about the two different types of tests that the government are ramping up.
Samples are taken using a swab - which resemble a large cotton bud - from deep inside the nose and throat before being sent off to a lab for testing. This would allow them to go back to work safe in the knowledge that they are unlikely to become infected again or pass the virus on.
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