As health authorities around the globe are struggling to provide widespread testing for coronavirus, a UK laboratory has developed a simple finger-prick test that gives a result in just 15 minutes. The company behind the rapid test describe it as “highly accurate” and are aiming in towards companies and organisations that wish to screen their workers. They believe that the test will keep vital industries operating while most people have been asked to self-isolate.
How does the test work?
Unlike some other tests that involve an unpleasant nasopharyngeal swab (i.e. from the back of the throat), this test uses a small drop of blood acquired with a finger-prick device – similar to a routine diabetes blood test.
The droplet of blood is placed on the testing device and mixed with a buffer fluid to speed up the reaction. The result then appears on a small display window (similar to a pregnancy test) within 15 minutes.
The test looks for the presence of two unique antibodies in the blood – IgG and IgM. IgG indicates that a person has recently become infected, whilst IgG indicates the later stages of an infection. Unlike other tests, this one can detect coronavirus even if the patient shows minimal or no symptoms.
You can order a coronavirus antibody test here and find further information about COVID-19 testing here.
