CIDRAP - National Guard activated for 3 states as US COVID-19 cases pass 33,000
Today, 06:19 PM
ELISA testing to screen for immunity
Today, 06:07 PM
Serology, which ELISA3 tests for SARS-Cov-2 specific antibodies, allows the detection of protected individuals who have been infected by the virus and have recovered. In contrast, RT-PCR4 tests, which are based on an RNA diagnostic, detect the presence of the viral genetic material and are only valid just before and during the infection.
If easy-to-use COVID-19 antibody assays applicable via finger prick samples (e.g. Biomerica Inc.) are rapidly proven to be reliable and certified, they might be used in conjunction with FDA-approved point-of-care viral RNA testing (Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2, Cepheid Inc.) to implement the suggested two-step screening on a large scale.