The UK government are now offering a few types of COVID-19 test. These services are provided for free in order to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and protect the general public as well as the economy.
Read the information below to find out more about the types of COVID-19 test and who they are available for.
PCR Test
This is the first type of COVID-19 test that the UK government offered for free.
What is it? The PCR Test involves a patient taking a swab of their nose or throat, to pick up any genetic material related to SARS-CoV-2. Following sample collection, the swab is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
What does it show? This type of COVID-19 test shows if a person is currently infected with COVID-19.
Who is it available for? According to the GOV.UK website, anyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can apply for a test if they are experiencing symptoms. Anyone over 5 in Scotland who is suffering from symptoms can order a test.
Key workers and those who live with key workers can have access to priority testing. This group includes workers such as NHS staff, teachers and staff in care homes.
Where does it happen? You can order a home test kit, or visit a mobile testing site.
Find out more here.
Antibody Test
What is it? For the COVID-19 antibody test, a blood sample must be collected from the patient. This will then be examined to determine if antibodies related to COVID-19 are present.
What does it show? The antibody test shows if a person has recently been infected with COVID-19. The test does not prove a person is immune to the coronavirus.
Who is it available for? According to the GOV.UK website, the antibody tests will initially be offered to NHS staff and those working in the care sector.
Where does it happen? The tests will be for professional use only, which means that a qualified Medical Professional must collect a blood sample. This is likely to occur at a person’s workplace.
Find out more here.
According to an article published by Verdict Medical Devices, the UK government are also looking to provide free antibody tests. Patients would be required to collect a blood sample via the finger-prick method. This announcement follows a successful trial of the antibody tests, where the test was deemed to be ’98.6% accurate.’ The article also mentions that introduction of an app or digital system that is designed specifically for this test, to help ‘facilitate use and reading of the test device.’
There is further mention of this on the GOV.UK website, where it states that the test is still in development and is yet to be validated for use on a mass scale.
At Antibody Solutions, we offer the PCR test, alongside the IgG antibody test and a rapid antibody test. Please note that this is a private service, and will not deprive essential workers from access to tests.
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Products must meet certain requirements to be sold on the market. This is particularly important for items that are sold for medical purposes.
See below for an explanation of the regulations and standards that the products we offer comply with.
What does ‘UKAS accredited’ mean?
UKAS stands for United Kingdom Accreditation Service. ‘Accreditation’ means an organisation can carry out certain processes reliably and effectively, with a high degree of accuracy. UKAS is the national accreditation for the UK. The government use UKAS to assess organisations that offer services such as testing, inspection and certification.
A company must go through a lengthy process to become UKAS accredited. This includes reviews into management and the way procedures are carried out. The competence of a company must also be tested. Therefore, if a company is UKAS accredited, this shows they have met the highest standards.
What does ISO 13485:2016 accredited mean?
ISO 13485 regulations are for medical devices and services. ISO stands for International Organisation for Standardisation. This means that a product which meets ISO standards is compliant with requirements which are agreed across the world. Medical devices include products, equipment or in vitro devices that are used for diagnosis, and the prevention of illnesses or diseases.
By having ISO 13485:2016 accreditation, a company has been able to assure the safety and quality of products for medical use.
What does CE certified mean?
CE marking applies to products that are sold in the European Economic Area. CE certification confirms that the manufacturer of a product or device has checked that it meets EU health, safety and environmental standards. Furthermore, CE certification allows the free movement of goods in the EU market and shows that a product complies with EU legislation.
Importantly, the CE mark certifies that the product has been assessed before being sold on the market.
What does ‘Emergency Use Authorisation by the FDA’ mean?
If a product is authorised for Emergency Use by the FDA, this means that it is allowed to be used in an emergency for diagnosis, or to treat and prevent illness, even if the product has not been approved. This tends to be the case when there are no approved alternatives that can be used.
The Food and Drug Administration takes the responsibility of ensuring that products, drugs and medical devices are safe and protect people’s health in the US.
]]>There is a misconception that COVID-19 testing is only for those who are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus. This is not the case. On the contrary, testing of those who do not experience symptoms is key to controlling the spread of COVID-19.
There is evidence to support that people can be infected with COVID-19 without experiencing symptoms. In an article published by The Guardian, Dr William Hillmann details that COVID-19 can yield ‘a significant spectrum of symptoms,’ from ‘people who are entirely asymptomatic’ to ‘people with severe illness.’
Furthermore, an article by Nature suggests that research estimates that asymptomatic patients ‘could represent some 60% of all infections.’ This high figure is linked to the fact that many people have contracted COVID-19 without undergoing travel or being associated with areas deemed to be hotspots.
This article also discusses the unique case of the Diamond Princess Cruise ship. In total, there were 3,711 passengers and staff who were all tested on multiple occasions. According to a study conducted by Chowell, 18% of 700 people who were infected did not show any symptoms. Chowell believes that when applying the study to wider society, this figure of 18% is likely to be higher, as there was a high percentage of elderly people on board the Diamond Princess who were more likely to be affected by COVID-19 and suffer symptoms.
Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to establish what percentage of people could be infected with COVID-19 without suffering from any symptoms, as the majority of COVID-19 tests are conducted on NHS frontline staff and those who are seriously ill.
It is likely that those who are infected with COVID-19 without exhibiting symptoms will still be contagious. Therefore, those who are asymptomatic can still benefit from undergoing COVID-19 testing. Moreover, we also offer antibody testing, which gives an indication of whether you have already had COVID-19.
https://www.theguardian.com/global/2020/apr/13/coronavirus-have-i-already-had-covid-19
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00822-x
Which COVID-19 test should I have?
If you would like to find out if you are currently infected with COVID-19, and could, therefore, pose a risk to others, you should undergo the PCR test. Take a swab of your nose or throat from the comfort of your own home and send this off to the laboratory. Medical professionals will examine the sample to establish if genetic material that is specific to COVID-19 is present. PCR testing can confirm if you are infected with COVID-19, whether or not you exhibit symptoms. Find out more about this type of test here.
If you want to discover if you have already had COVID-19, you can undergo the COVID-19 antibody test. This is a serological test and involves taking a blood sample to determine if Immunoglobulin M and Immunoglobulin G antibodies linked to COVID-19 are present in the blood. Please note that this type of test provides an indication only, and is strictly for organisations, healthcare establishments and professional use. Find out more about this type of test here.
]]>There is constant media coverage regarding the outbreak of COVID-19 in the UK and across the world. However, this can be very overwhelming, and there is often conflicting information. At COVID-19 Test, we want to ensure that the general public have up-to-date facts about the current situation, particularly in relation to testing.
Please see below for the most recent updates.
Tuesday 28th April
Since the weekend, further drive-through testing sites have opened across the country. These include sites in Peterborough and Dorset. According to the UK government website, there are 48 sites in total which are scheduled to open before the end of April.
When you undergo testing at a drive-through site, you may have the option to bring additional members of your household with you if you are self-isolating together. After checking your appointment details, a staff member will come over to the car and take a swab of your mouth and nose. Alternatively, a staff member will pass you a kit and instruct you on how to perform the PCR test yourself. Once the swabs have been taken, you are free to leave the site. You will receive the results within 48 hours by text message.
Please see this video for more information:
Furthermore, extra measures have been put in place to increase the testing of people in areas which are far from testing sites. An article published by the BBC on 26th April 2020 states that 96 pop-up facilities have been planned across the country to treat those in ‘care homes, police and fire stations, prisons and benefit centres.’ 11 of the sites are already running in areas such as Watford, Carlisle and Salisbury.
These pop-up sites can be set up in only 20 minutes and are run by the military, except for 4 planned sites in Northern Ireland which will be run by contractors. All pop-up sites are estimated to be open by the beginning of May. Read more about this here.
In regards to the online platform that was launched on Friday 24th April for key workers to book COVID-19 PCR tests, the demand for tests is still exceeding the availability. This article from The Guardian states that on Monday 27th April, 10,000 home-testing kits were ordered, and 18,000 slots were booked for testing sites across the UK. The availability of home-testing kits and slots for testing at other sites has increased since Friday.
Moreover, another article published by The Guardian on Sunday 26th April states that the government are once again considering the use of rapid antibody tests. These tests are manufactured in the UK. If the tests are proved to yield a high level of accuracy, the government may order a large quantity of the kits to determine how many people may have been affected by COVID-19.
Friday 24th April
This morning, it was revealed that a website has been launched for key workers to book COVID-19 tests, either through home testing or at drive-through testing sites. Along with the launch of this website, it was announced that more key workers would have access to coronavirus testing through this platform. Those now eligible for testing include teachers, transport officers and justice workers. You can see the full list here. The government are still only using PCR tests to determine if people are infected with COVID-19.
Yet, according to an article published by the BBC this afternoon, the website was temporarily closed within hours of opening. 5,000 home PCR testing kits were ordered, and 15,000 PCR tests were booked in at drive-through sites. The government have reassured the public that the website will be back online once new booking slots are available.
By expanding the list of essential workers who can have access to testing, this means that around 10 million people are now eligible for PCR testing. It remains to be seen whether there will be enough COVID-19 PCR tests to support this number. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has stated that this online booking system for COVID-19 testing will also soon be available in Scotland. The more key workers who are tested, the more people will be able to return to work safely.
You can read more about the new online testing platform here.
The UK government’s testing capacity is constantly increasing, however, there is doubt over whether they will be able to achieve the target of 100,000 COVID-19 tests per day by the end of April. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has stated that daily testing capacity has reached 51,000, yet on Thursday 23rd April, 23,560 tests were conducted.
COVID-19 rapid antibody tests have yet to be utilised by the UK government. Other countries, however, are using this method of testing to help control the outbreak of the coronavirus and to allow people to return to work. In an article published by the Las Vegas Review Journal today, a manufacturer of dietary supplements is reported to have provided their employees with free antibody tests. The article states that this is being done for the employees’ ‘comfort and peace of mind,’ rather than for the benefit of the business.
]]>Reports state that the rapid tests used on this occasion showed results in only 10 minutes. It is probable that this rapid test determined the presence of antibodies related to COVID-19. By conducting these tests, Emirates will be able to provide passengers with COVID-19 certificates to allow them to enter other countries.
Emirates airline plan to increase the scale of testing for COVID-19 in the coming months. The United Arab Emirates has the third highest testing rate in the world, having performed around 650,000 tests.
Since 15th April, Emirates have run limited services to London, Frankfurt, Manila, Chicago, Algiers and Taipei. The airline has put other protective measures in place such as making it a requirement for passengers to wear facemasks, removing reading materials, altering packaging on food to reduce contamination, and preventing passengers from bringing cabin baggage onto planes.
These safety precautions and rapid COVID-19 testing before boarding flights could be a potential avenue for reintroducing air travel.
We offer COVID-19 Rapid Testing for organisations, healthcare establishments and professional use. See more here.
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As time goes on, and a greater proportion of the UK population are infected with COVID-19, testing for the Coronavirus is even more important. COVID-19 tests are an invaluable tool for controlling the spread of the Coronavirus, especially when government restrictions on movement are relaxed.
In comparison to other countries, the UK is behind on the number of people that are tested on a daily basis. According to reports, South Korea tested 20,000 people per day, and Germany tested around 70,000 people per day. These countries seem to have been able to control the outbreak of Coronavirus, indicating the importance of testing.
Testing key workers is also vital in helping the UK to cope with the pandemic. In the case of The Royal College of Physicians, around 25% of staff are in self-isolation because either they have symptoms, or members of their household are exhibiting symptoms. By providing tests for key workers, we can establish who is able to work, and give staff the reassurance that they are not passing on the Coronavirus to others. Moreover, universal testing can help us to determine who is suitable to return to work when the government lockdown is lifted.
What are the types of test?
The UK are working on offering two types of test; a test where a swab of the mouth or nose is taken, and an antibody test. The swab test can help to determine if someone has COVID-19, and if they are infectious. The antibody test is exactly the same as the COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette that we offer for organisations, which uses a blood sample to identify the presence of antibodies related to COVID-19. The antibody test should be conducted after the person has shown symptoms, and can indicate if they have built up immunity to the Coronavirus. While you will have to wait a few days for the results of the swab test, the antibody test yields results within 15 minutes.
If the general public, particularly key workers, undergo COVID-19 testing, they can know whether they have had the Coronavirus. This could potentially allow staff to return to work at a sooner date.
]]>Important Note: Whether or not you show symptoms of COVID-19, you must practise social distancing and ensure that you follow guidelines from the government and the NHS. For example, you should regularly wash your hands, avoid touching your face, and cover your face with a tissue or your sleeve if you cough or sneeze to protect yourself and others from coronavirus.
Those with symptoms of Coronavirus
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a dry, continuous cough and a high temperature. Of course, you can experience these symptoms without having the coronavirus. However, without testing, it is difficult to know for certain. Therefore, if you are experiencing any symptoms, the government advises that you should self-isolate at home for 7 days. You should also call the NHS helpline on 111 for further information and advice.
When you are in self-isolation, you should not leave the house, and should not engage in face-to-face contact with anyone outside of your household. The NHS guidelines stipulate that you can leave the house to undertake exercise, but you should stay at least 2 metres away from others.
According to the NHS website, if you still have a temperature after 7 days, you should continue to self-isolate as the coronavirus may still be present. If you do not have a high temperature or simply just have a cough after 7 days, then you do not need to continue to self-isolate, unless someone else in your household is showing symptoms.
Those who are in contact with others who have symptoms of COVID-19
Whether or not you have previously experienced symptoms, if a member of your household shows signs of COVID-19, you must also self-isolate. The NHS recommend that you self-isolate for 14 days from when the other person first exhibited symptoms. This is because it can take up to 14 days for you to show symptoms if you have caught the coronavirus. If you do show symptoms, you should self-isolate for 7 days from when you first experienced the symptoms.
Moreover, if you come into contact with someone else who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate. When you have the coronavirus, it can a while for the symptoms to manifest. Therefore, if you do not show symptoms immediately after being in contact with someone who has symptoms, do not presume that you have not got COVID-19. Self-isolation is key for protecting yourself and others from the coronavirus.
It is important to remember that when you come out of self-isolation, this does not mean you can come and go as you please. You should only go out to shop for essentials, to care for vulnerable people if required, to go to work if you are a key worker, or to exercise once a day. For more information, please see the NHS website.
Pregnant women
If you are pregnant, or have an underlying health condition, then you should be vigilant and ensure you are practising social distancing. Pregnant women who are experiencing symptoms should also self-isolate for 7 days, and seek medical help if symptoms worsen. At this point, there is no evidence to show that the coronavirus can affect pregnancies. Find out more information here.
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The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a continuous dry cough, and a high temperature. According to the NHS website, you do not need to measure your temperature to know if you have a fever. Your chest or back will be hot to the touch if you have a high temperature. You are deemed to have a continuous cough if you are coughing for more than an hour, or if you have 3 or more episodes of coughing within a 24-hour period.
If you have either or both of these symptoms, you should remain at home in self-isolation. While it is true that these symptoms are also linked to the common cold or the flu, without testing, you cannot know if you have COVID-19.
Fatigue and shortness of breath are also considered to be common symptoms of the Coronavirus.
Other symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Blocked or runny nose
- Diarrhoea
Please note that if you are suffering from symptoms of the Coronavirus, it is imperative that you regularly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, and disinfect surfaces that you have touched. Furthermore, you must adhere to social distancing measures put in place by the government.
Researchers are also looking into the possibility that loss of smell and taste is a symptom of the Coronavirus. According to a research study conducted by King’s College London, over 400,000 people reported loss of taste and smell as a symptom through an app. However, it is unclear how many of these people are suffering from COVID-19, and this is also a common symptom of other illnesses.
If you suspect that you have the symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate immediately, and get in touch with those you have been in contact with recently. Furthermore, you should call the NHS on 111 or visit their website for further guidance. You can read our article for more information on what you should do when you or someone you know experiences symptoms of the Coronavirus.
]]>Amidst the outbreak of COVID-19, there are lots of myths circulating regarding the coronavirus. Don’t worry – we’re here to put your mind at ease. See below for common misconceptions about the coronavirus:
Myth: Only older and more vulnerable people catch COVID-19.
Fact: This is not the case. While it is true that those who are older or have pre-existing health conditions are in greater danger from the coronavirus, the younger generation can also catch COVID-19 and experience symptoms. In most cases, younger people tend to experience mild symptoms of coronavirus.
Myth: Antibiotics help to fight the coronavirus.
Fact. This is not true. Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria, not viruses.
Myth: There is a treatment for COVID-19.
Fact: As of yet, there is no treatment for the coronavirus, though a vaccine is in development.
Myth: Protective masks stop people from getting the virus.
Fact: Disposable masks cannot stop droplets from entering the mouth and nose, and cannot prevent a person from getting infected if they have the virus on their hands and touch their face under the mask. Lightweight masks can lessen the spread of germs if the wearer is infected, however, only professional, heavy-duty respirator masks can offer adequate protection.
Myth: COVID-19 is not transmitted in hot climates.
Fact: According to the World Health Organisation, there is evidence that the coronavirus spreads in all climates, hot or cold.
Myth: COVID-19 is spread through mosquito bites.
Fact: There is no evidence to support this. COVID-19 is spread through droplets from the mouth or nose.
Myth: Thermal scanners detect the coronavirus in others.
Fact: Thermal scanners may be able to detect when people have a high temperature, however, they will not be able to identify those who have COVID-19 before they experience a fever.
For regular updates on how to protect yourself from coronavirus, we recommend that you visit the World Health Organisation website. If you are interested in getting tested for COVID-19, you can find more information here.
]]>Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, we are now offering COVID-19 Test Kits. The COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette is an antibody test, aiming to identify the presence of Immunoglobulin M and Immunoglobulin G antibodies that are specific to the coronavirus.
One of the main benefits of our COVID-19 antibody test is that it is a rapid test. This means that you can see results in minutes, rather than sending a sample off to a laboratory. The rapid test is 93.4% accurate, and yields results within 15 minutes.
Furthermore, the test kit is easy to use and you can perform the test anywhere. The test kit comes with all the components you need, including a lancet, dropper, alcohol pad and cotton pad. The COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette also comes with a Return Box, so you can send us your used kit for us to dispose of.
When you purchase a a test kit, you are entitled to a pre-test and post-consultation. Our support lines are open daily if you need any help using the test kit, or if you want to clarify your results.
The COVID-19 Test Kit detects the presence of Immunoglobulin G within the blood. Immunoglobulin G is linked to long-term immunity, so that if a person was infected with the coronavirus for a second time, these antibodies would know how to fight it. Immunoglobulin M, on the other hand, is produced when the virus first infects the body. The COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette aims to identify both Immunoglobulin M and Immunoglobulin G. Therefore, the test can give an indication of what stage the coronavirus is in.
If you would like more information on the COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette, please email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, give us a call on 0207 1646 955.
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