The Government’s chief medical adviser has warned that home coronavirus diagnosis kits will not be available from next week, despite reports of the contrary.
The innovative new test, which would enable the user to check whether they had already contracted the virus, was reported to be ready for mass distribution “within days”.
The test involves taking a finger-prick of blood and testing it for specific cells, known as antibodies, which are produced after fighting the virus.
These antibody tests – also called serology tests – are designed to check if a person has detectable antibodies in their blood, meaning they will have already had Covid-19, but their immune system has cleared the infection. Crucially, this means they’ll now have some resistance if they come into contact with an infected person again.
These types of tests are important in the fight against coronavirus, as it will let doctors, nurses and other professionals know when it is safe to return to the workplace.
But Professor Chris Whitty said the test is not something “we’ll suddenly be ordering on the internet next week”.
Heeding caution, he warned that the technology must be accurate enough to be used by the general public.
“If they are incredibly accurate, we will work out the quickest way to release them. If they are not accurate, we will not release any of them,” he said.
While useful, antibody tests only form a small part of our battle with coronavirus. Our greatest weapon is social distancing.
As per Government guidance, people should no longer be leaving their homes for reasons other than exercising once a day, to travel to and from work where “absolutely necessary”, to procure essential supplies, and to address medical or care needs.
