The findings are significant because they are likely to influence the decisions on future lockdown restrictions and find which groups are at
Around 3.4 million people in England — 6% of the population — have contracted coronavirus, with infection rates twice as high in London, a major antibody study found.
A mass survey of more than 100,000 people — which the government says is the biggest of its kind in the world — suggested the extent of the outbreak varied widely between different areas and population groups...
The burden of Covid-19 “has fallen particularly heavily on ethnic minority groups and key workers, particularly in care homes and healthcare,” said Professor Helen Ward, one of the researchers involved. “Those in deprived and densely populated areas are most likely to have been exposed to the virus, and we need to do far more to protect people from any future waves of infection.”
COVID-19 studies have been appearing in medical research journals or made available in pre-print form, since January. SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, has had a profound impact on human society in every facet. In a way, you could say this pandemic is responsible for a lot more than sickness...
Antibody tests can give a clearer picture of who has been infected but don’t guarantee immunity for those who test positive.
As some countries begin to reopen in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, experts are racing to ramp up the development and use of blood tests that pinpoint people who have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 and are no longer infected.
The tests detect antibodies, proteins made by the immune system to fight infection (SN: 3/27/20). People who carry antibodies specific to the novel coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2, have been infected previously, even if they didn’t know it. For those people, discovering that they have these virus-fighting antibodies could raise hopes of immunity and a return to normal life.
But scientists are also working to uncover what these blood tests really tell us. At this point, there isn’t enough evidence to confirm that recovered people are protected from the disease and, if so, for how long, the World Health Organization said in a statement on April 24. So people hoping for that assurance may be disappointed.
For researchers and public health officials, though, the tests can reveal the true extent of the pandemic. The U.S. National Institutes of Health announced April 10 that researchers had begun recruiting people for a nationwide study that aims to test as many as 10,000 volunteers without an official COVID-19 diagnosis, which could help clarify how many people across the country have actually been infected. A number of similar, more local studies are also under way.
The goal is to fill in the gaps created by trouble rolling out diagnostic tests, which detect the virus’s genetic material and can catch an active infection. Those tests have faced roadblocks such as flawed tests and supply shortages, leaving some sick people wondering whether their symptoms were from COVID-19 or a different respiratory infection.
Such tests can’t detect the virus once the infection has cleared. But antibodies typically stick around in the body after the virus has disappeared, giving scientists a glimpse into the past. So for people who weren’t able to get a diagnostic test, the antibody test “will give us the ability to let them know yes, you did have COVID-19,” says Aneesh Mehta, an infectious disease physician at Emory University in Atlanta.
Knowing how many people have already been exposed to the virus is also a step toward understanding when the pandemic might end (SN: 3/24/20). High numbers of immune people can protect the population as a whole from outbreaks, creating what’s called herd immunity. Researchers estimate that around one-third to two-thirds of a population would need to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 to reach herd immunity.
CMO: More testing capacity by Monday (April 23, 2020)
Paula Lindo Thursday 23 April 2020
Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram. –
PAULA LINDO
CMO Dr Roshan Parasram has said the Health Ministry hopes to have certification of its capacity to do PCR testing by April 27.
He said this will allow for community testing outside of the Caribbean Public Health Agency’s guidelines.
The method being used to test for covid19 is polymerase chain reaction…
Antibody Testing Market Growth, Overview with Detailed Analysis 2022-2030
Antibody Testing Market Growth, Overview with Detailed Analysis 2022-2030
The Antibody Testing Market research report 2022-2030 provides an in-depth analysis of the changing trends, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth over the next decade. The study includes a detailed summary of each market along with data related to demand, supply and distribution. The report examines Antibody Testing market growth strategies adopted by leading manufacturers which…
Coronavirus Antibodies: Its Testing And Its Effects | HugeCount
Coronavirus antibodies are antibodies or white blood cells that help the body fight against the Coronavirus. These Coronavirus antibodies prevent and kill the increasing amount of Coronavirus from growing further. In some cases, they can be in your body since childhood, but mostly, Coronavirus antibodies are injected into the body through vaccines. Before understanding Coronavirus […]
How can corporations benefit from Antibody Testing South Florida?
Introduction:
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, almost all offices had to work from home. Now that everything is opening and employees are starting their jobs again in an office space, health safety has become a big concern for many companies because of how fast things can turn dangerous on your floor or even just walking down some busy streets! To make sure everyone stays safe at this time when we’re finally getting back into full swing with regular productivity, here’s what you need: A COVID — Safe Strategy.
The use of Antibody Testing has been introduced to help employers tackle this critical concern.
Know more: How can corporations benefit from Antibody Testing South Florida?
