GAME-CHANGER
What is an antibody test and when will Roche and Abbott’s coronavirus test be available in the UK?
CORONAVIRUS antibody tests are the next stage in helping the UK overcome the killer bug.
The test is hoping to determine whether someone has had Covid-19 and if they are immune to it - and these are set to be available from next week.
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What is an antibody test?
An antibody test is a test that the Government using to find out if someone has coronavirus.
It is a test that specifically looks for antibodies will be able to tell whether you've already been exposed to Covid-19.
There are different types, but they require taking a blood sample to check for signs of antibodies.
Some finger-prick tests are designed to be done at home, with the results sent off to a lab for results.
None of these home tests are currently approved for use by the Government.
Dr Hilary Jones, a GP and resident doctor on Good Morning Britain, explained that it's "almost like a pregnancy test, except you need a drop of blood".
Tests vary, but will principally be a finger-prick blood test, with the samples sent to laboratories and results available within a few days.
How does the new test work?
There are two antibody tests currently approved by Public Health England.
Matt Hancock announced in a coronavirus briefing last week that they will be rolled out to NHS workers by end of May.
Unlike the finger-prick tests, those developed by Roche and Abbott, require blood to be taken by a medical professional before the sample is sent to the lab for analysis.
The Roche test picks up 100 per cent of cases where somebody has had coronavirus in the past.
It's able to deliver results in just 18 minutes, the Government has said.
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When will Roche and Abbott's antibody tests be available?
Roche and Abbott's antibody test will be available by the end of May with the roll out starting with health care workers, patients and care home residents.
The coronavirus antibody blood tests, were given approval by Public Health England on May 14, 2020, after scientists found the test had an accuracy of 100 per cent.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed that the government has signed contracts to supply ten million of these tests.
Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, and its American competitor Abbott Laboratories have come together to supply the antibody test.
Roche is a Swiss multinational healthcare company that operates worldwide under two divisions: Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics.
It is the second-largest pharmaceutical company worldwide.
Abbott Laboratories is an American multinational medical devices and health care company.
In November 2018, Abbott became the first medical device company to introduce a smartphone app glucose reader in the United States.
Other companies being considered to provide the tests include Scottish company Omega Diagnostics, British diagnostic company Mologic, and web giant Amazon.
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