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Hopes that coronavirus antibody tests could help the UK end its lockdown have been dealt a blow – after the World Health Company questioned whether they use any warranty of resistance.
The UK has positioned antibody tests – which examine if somebody has had Covid-19 – at the centre of an ultimate “back-to-work” strategy to restart normal life.
However professionals said they may not show if somebody is secured from reinfection.
The UK’s testing co-ordinator has actually also warned individuals not to purchase personal tests.
The government has already paid for three-and-a-half million antibody tests, however has actually not yet discovered one that is dependable enough to utilize – and stresses that it will not approve making use of any test up until it can be sure its findings can be totally depended upon.
Teacher John Newton stated the public needs to not acquire unapproved antibody tests till a working test is authorized.
” We are breaking new ground with this work every day and I am positive this significant research study effort will make a development,” he said of efforts to develop a legitimate serology test, which determines levels of antibodies in blood plasma.
” Up until then, please do not purchase or take any unverified tests. They might not be reliable for your meant usage; they may give a false reading and put you, your household or others at danger.”
He included: “As soon as we have actually discovered a test that works for this purpose, we will remain in a position to roll them out across the country as a back-to-work test.”
Speaking in Geneva, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Dr Maria van Kerkhove cast doubt on the advantage of rapid serology tests due to a lack of evidence around coronavirus resistance.
She said: “There are a great deal of count