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New coronavirus antibody test: All you need to know

The detection of these antibodies could help to indicate if a person has gained immunity against the virus.

A new coronavirus antibody test has been approved for use in UK after is was found to be 100 per cent accurate in determining if a patient has developed antibodies against the contagion.

The serology test is developed by a Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, and scientists at Public Health England's Porton Down facility carried out an independent evaluation. According to Sky News reports, the detection of these antibodies could help to indicate if a person has gained immunity against the virus.

Professor John Newton, national co-ordinator of the UK Coronavirus Testing Programme, said, "This is a very positive development because such a highly specific antibody test is a very reliable marker of past infection."

While Britain's junior health minister, Edward Argar, said, "This has the potential to be a game changer. We are now moving as fast as we can to discuss with Roche purchasing of those but I can't give you an exact date when we'll be able to start rolling them out."

Speaking on developing immunity to future infection, Professor Newton said, "This in turn may indicate some immunity to future infection although the extent to which the presence of antibodies indicates immunity remains unclear."

While in March, UK PM Boris Johnson said, "The great thing about having a test to see whether you've had it enough, is suddenly a green light goes on above your head and you can go back to work safe and confident in the knowledge that you are most unlikely to get it again."

UK Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, last week said they were in talks with Roche about a "very large-scale roll-out" of coronavirus antibody testing. Although he acknowledged that there had been problems with antibody testing and that the previously ordered 17.5 million home testing kits did not work.

Earlier this month, Roche's antibody test won emergency approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.