Superdrug, a high street shop in England, has sold out their home antibody tests costing $84 in just a matter of hours. Scientists, however, warned the public to take precautionary measures against buying those tests as there remain uncertainty in the accuracy of detecting COVID-19 antibodies.
The public is also urged not to put their guards down as it remains unclear whether or not a person who has developed antibodies will no longer contract the virus.
Superdrug Antibody Test
The company's Healthcare Director, Michael Henry, claims that Superdrug is launching a COVID-19 antibody test because they are "confident of its accuracy and reliability."
Approval for the kit was given by the Public Health England, as they wanted an 'an accessible way for people to know whether they have already been infected with COVID-19.'
Henry shares that the antibody test is available online through their online doctor service and remains unavailable in their stores.
As experts are still determining how our antibodies and immunity are affected, developed antibodies will reduce the risk of contracting the virus again and spreading infection.
Dr. Zoe Williams, ambassador of Superdrug notes that there are certain precautions when obtaining the test.
If the results are positive, Williams informs that it 'does not confer immunity.'
Moreover, the results shouldn't cause anyone to 'be any more relaxed with the required hygiene and social distancing measures as set out by the government.'
The high street shop also claim that their sampling kits pass UKAS requirements and are CE marked.
So what Does the Antibody Testing Kit Determine?
Antibody tests can confirm if you've been infected with coronavirus which is different from antigen. Antigen, or swab tests, show whether one is currently infected with COVID-19 or not.
The home sampling kit is best suited for age 18 and over, then you need to wait 14 days - the least amount of time for antibodies to develop.
After a small blood sample is collected, a lab receives your package then the antibodies are analyzed. Superdrug claims that the test can 'detect positive antibodies 97.5 per cent of the time.'
Superdrug's online doctors then review the results and send them to the patient, maintaining doctor-patient confidentiality.
Read Also: Some Clinics in UK and US are Buying COVID-19 Antibody Test Kits Online Despite Accuracy Falling Below Standard: Here's Why
Scientists Provide Clarity
Although recovered patients are expected to have immunity to the sickness, Professor Stephen Powis informs that "it is not yet clear whether this means people will not contract the virus again."
Powis said in a press briefing that 'Public Health England as I say is evaluating them for the NHS so I would caution people against being tempted to have those tests.'
Correlation between positive antibody tests and the immune system still remain unclear, and unless proven so, Powis advices that 'we need to tread cautiously.'
'When I say it is the early phase of these tests and where we will use them first, is in health,' The scientist explains that most likely the first working tests will go to medical staff, the developers, and to 'staff in those settings where it is most important that we understand about infection.'
Professor Gino Martini of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society gives additional information about any antibody test.
'The real issue is that no-one knows the level of immunity that is conferred by having antibodies to coronavirus, how long it might last, and if you can become re-infected.'
Martini states that there is still not enough data to 'understand the importance of having antibodies to the virus.'
Despite the home test kits being sold out, others have claimed that it's too expensive, as commented by molecular oncology professor, Lawrence Young.
