Antibody testing couple weeks away
By GILLIAN SLADE on May 23, 2020.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade Alberta Health says COVID-19 antibody tests could be available in Alberta within a couple of weeks. “Serological testing is important because it allows us to see who within the population has antibodies to this specific virus, and therefore who has had previous exposure,” said Tom McMillan, assistant director communication for Alberta Health. About two weeks ago Health Canada approved the Italian-made DiaSorin LIAISON antibody test. Scientists expressed optimism about the approved blood test because it will provide a greater understanding of how many Canadians had COVID-19. Not everyone was tested so there may be people who had COVID-19 but it has never been confirmed. It will also provide a picture of how long immunity lasts. When someone has COVID-19 they naturally develop antibodies. These proteins stay in the body for an undetermined period of time and offer a degree of immunity. McMillan says Alberta Precision Laboratories is now in the final stages of evaluating and validating various serology tests, including the Italian-made one. “While there is no definitive timeline for when widespread testing may be available for Albertans, we anticipate an initial serological testing strategy could be in place within the next two weeks,” said McMillan. Canada’s chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam has said the test will be for wide-scale population testing but cautioned that the science regarding immunity is in its early stages. Tam said the test is not a guarantee that someone will not get reinfected. The UK has chosen the Roche, a Swiss pharmaceutical company, antibody test saying it is 100 per cent accurate. According to media reports, the DiaSorin test is said to be 97.5 per cent accurate and is being used in the United States, Australia, Russia and India. Countries that have already begun antibody testing are reporting a two or three per cent positive rate but in some geographic areas it is up 30 per cent. 12-11
