Can the world PLEASE start rolling out serological testing on a huge scale?

[user1477391263]

Because it is looking like those who have had this virus are immune after not--not for ever and ever, perhaps, but long enough for us to ride out the pandemic.

And it is looking like large %s of the population in most affected countries have had the virus, with no or mild symptoms. I don't want to debate about what % this is. But it's likely to be a large minority at least.

We need these people up and running so that we can avoid grinding our economies into the dust.

Every stop needs to be pulled out to get this up and running as soon as possible.

AFAIK this is starting in the UK this week with initial results expected within days. The team at Oxford who published that contentious model saying over 50% may already have had it.

Good hopefully it will show enough immunity to see us through to a vaccine next year

Some Italian regions are starting this. Tuscany has ordered 500,000 tests and will start by testing a sample of medics and hospital technicians. Veneto are doing something similar.

This is encouraging. We need to see this everywhere.

I wonder if it's possible to pay privately for the test? I suspect I may have had this thing back in late January (I am in Asia).

I thought no the problem with this test is that people who are interested mmune wil go out and about forgetting(or not caring) that they can Still spread it.

Is this going to be just for medics or are they planning on rolling it out to the general public?

No idea about the UK study but Tuscany have spoken about testing a population sample of 100,000. They will start will a small sample of hospital staff. Also planning to test key workers'. I'm not sure of the timescale for this, the article I read a few days ago said some tests (donated to the main Florence hospital are ready to go, others are awaiting approval from the Higher Health Institute). Veneto have also ordered 500,000 tests and have talked about stopping people in the street and asking them to take the test (a finger prick blood test with results in a few minutes).

well this is excellent news!

telegraph:
"The public will be able to conduct coronavirus antibody tests at home within a matter of days, rather than weeks and months, MPs have heard.
Professor Sharon Peacock, director of the National Infection Service, Public Health England (PHE) told the Science and Technology Committee that 3.5 million tests had been bought and would be available in the "near future".
She said the tests would also allow key workers - like doctors and nurses - to go back to work if they have developed antibodies.
Prof Peacock explained a small number of tests would be tested in a laboratory before being distributed via Amazon and in places like Boots."

and Guardian:
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/25/uk-coronavirus-mass-home-testing-to-be-made-available-within-days

Place marking because this is AMAZING data

If its true i hope we all get a chance to buy one (after medical staff)

We need more than 3.5 mill

very exciting news.
3.5 million test wont last long if put on Amazon! though.

I thought no the problem with this test is that people who are interested mmune wil go out and about forgetting(or not caring) that they can Still spread it.

If you had had it and immune, you can't spread it anymore can you? Isn't that the point of a vaccine?

I know that some people who have had this wont even know they have, but I wish there were some way that first priority (after Frontline NHS) could be those who have been self isolating because they have had genuine Covid symptoms, rather than just any Tom or dick who 'just wants to check out of interest'?

@LambriniSocialist I suppose an immune person could spread someone else's coronavirus via their hands?

I suppose an immune person could spread someone else's coronavirus via their hands?

Ah yes, that's true actually I hadn't really thought of that?

The immune person will forget hand washing because it's not important to them and therefore pass it around as they are going out to more places etc.

The rate of spread from an immune person still wouldn't be nearly as much as from someone who was carrying the virus though would it, as they wouldn't be shedding it themselves? I guess the same applies to people who have been vaccinated against flu, but I suppose thats where herd immunity comes in. But yes, at the same time, one couldn't just get back on with their life even if immune?

How long does it last on the hand of someone who is immune I wonder? Presumably, given it cannot thrive on an immune person, it dies off at some point?

Loads of new questions I hadn't even thought about!

They need to test NHS frontline first, them other essential workers, then the 'shield' group vulnerable (because of the burden of 12 weeks SI and the importance of data from those with underlying conditions), then all others who are contacts of confirmed cases, all those who have had it to see if they have a good immune response.

The number of tests will barely scratch the surface.

And the strict distancing/lockdown will need to continue anyhow. Because we simply do not know who continues vulnerable and we can't risk what could still be millions of people by letting some have fewer restrictions - hell, we're having enough problems with compliance already without trying a two tier system

Actually I wouldnt be surprised if they didnt pick a certain area and test it to see what the numbers are to get some modelling on it otherwise what is the point of them outside of

Why would you put them on Amazon that is madness you need to model data from them not just do it hapharzardly

3.5 million doesn't sound like enough for them to go on sale to the public, hopefully they'll be distributed wisely.

Do we have any idea how long immunity is likely to last? don't know how it works for other coronaviruses, does it depend on how fast the virus mutates?

It's bloody amazing how fast the test has been developed. I don't suppose the OP meant it like this but it sounded a bit like it should/could have happened sooner.

I wonder what the reliability is like? The test used at the moment only has c70% reliability rate, i would be concerned that a rate that low would give people a false sense of security.