ARUP’s first COVID-19 IgG test has 98.4% specificity and 95.3% sensitivity. Initial suggested use is for determining exposure to COVID-19 in health care workers and first responders. NOT to be used for diagnosis. Further studied needed for determination of immunity and duration.
Rapid or point of care COVID-19 antibody testing offers need close scrutiny of their performance characteristics. Nothing worse than inaccurate test results during these times.
Second goal of antibody testing is to help with public health infection surveillance, tracing new cases, isolation of contacts and containtment of outbreaks when social distancing measures are lifted and infection becomes seasonal. Follow state health department recommendations.
Current positive antibody results don’t guarantee that individuals will not be reinfected. Studied are underway to answer if antibodies detected confer immunity and for how long. CDC and FDA should help with qualifying antibody test offerings on this important question.
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