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We still have some way to go before we can say that we’ve defeated COVID-19.

At the same time, we’ve covered some serious ground since those first few months of uncertainty as scientists raced against the clock to understand the virus.

One of the advancements in science, available to us now, is an antibody test that doesn’t involve labs, drawing vials of blood, and a visit to the hospital.

Instead, as of October 19, you’ll be able to make an appointment by calling the clinic at your local Clicks, where you’ll have your finger pricked, and within 15 minutes leave knowing whether or not you’ve built up antibodies to the virus.

They work a little like the HIV finger-prick test.

Per TimesLIVE, Clicks chief commercial officer Rachel Wrigglesworth has said that the test will cost R199, adding that it has 97% accuracy.

Before you dash to the phone to set up an appointment there are a few things you should know.

First, unlike the widely-used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, or PCR tests, these rapid antibody tests won’t tell you if you have an active case of coronavirus.

“This is not a Covid-19 test. The test is aimed at anyone who suspects they may have contracted the virus, even though they did not show symptoms,” Wrigglesworth, Clicks chief commercial officer, told Business Insider South Africa.

The test kits have been approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to be used as part of the county’s fight against the pandemic.

According to the Department of Health, the tests can be used to:

• Diagnose Covid-19 retroactively in patients who have had and have recovered from a COVID-19 compatible illness and are now negative based on results from the SARS-CoV-2 PCR test.
• Diagnose Covid-19 in patients who are admitted with possible SARS-CoV-2 infection but who test negative for RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) “This will include children with suspected multisystem inflammatory syndrome who may test negative with SARS-CoV-2 PCR”.
• Identify exposure to SARS-CoV-2  in the past in individuals who had the infection ideally more than 21 days prior to the test.
• To assess SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses.
• To identify potential convalescent plasma donors.

There are some limitations that you should take into account.

For one thing, the test is not foolproof and a negative result doesn’t necessarily rule out prior infection.

The results could be affected by:

• The insufficient sensitivity of the test
• Testing too early after an infection
• Some people might not develop detectable antibodies, especially if they were asymptomatic
• The antibodies could reduce over time. This could take as little as one to two months in those who had mild cases or were asymptomatic.

A positive result also doesn’t necessarily prove prior infection as it could pick up cross-reacting antibodies, like those directed against viruses (remember the common flu? Those were the days…).

Still, the 97% accuracy stat claimed by Wrigglesworth is pretty impressive.

It’s important to keep in mind that even if you do test positive for antibodies, you may not be immune to the virus, and should continue taking health and safety precautions.

“A positive antibody test result therefore should not be regarded as proof of immunity and must not be used to reduce or abandon protective measures,” said the department.

“Antibodies detected by different assays do not necessarily represent neutralising antibodies that are assumed to be the best measure of humoral immunity and protection against infection and/or disease.”

So, keep that mask on, keep sanitising your hands, and sit tight.

No Tin Roof for a while, either.

[source:timeslive]