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by subrat_rout 2272 days ago
In addition to all information above this test is able to detect antibodies only not virus. So it is not recommended tests by WHO. This test is only useful in the later part of infection by the time which patient might have in contact with others thus spreading the disease. We need tests which can detect single of very few virus particle in the early stage of infection and that will help to quarantine the patient thus reducing virus spread.
5 comments
stcredzero 2272 days ago
...able to detect antibodies only not virus...This test is only useful in the later part of infection

Actually, getting a sense of the penetration of infection into the general population, among asymptomatic people and mild cases would be very valuable information! Antibody tests could be used to sample test the public at large.

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VectorLock 2272 days ago
Plus having a point of care test for triaging seems extremely useful as well.

I don't think this is meant to replace large labs running rtPCR tests.

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rafaelferreira 2272 days ago
I'm not sure this is true. Bosh's site says "Which detection method is used in Bosch’s COVID-19 test? The COVID-19 test is based on a combination of sample preparation (including process controls): Multiplex PCR (Polymerase-Chain-Reaction), μArray-detection to allow the identification of SARS-CoV-2."
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mapt 2272 days ago
Even if you have unlimited virus tests, antibody tests are extremely useful. The one combined with the other demonstrates recovery as opposed to pre-infection. Supposedly antibody tests can also be made field-deployable much easier than virus tests.
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Angostura 2272 days ago
I imagine antibody tests are very very useful for spotting people have already contracted the disease, recovered and may therefore have a degree of immunity.
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rpm91 2272 days ago
I believe that line in the Q&A is referring to the "other COVID-19 tests, where the test result is available in a few minutes". It's ambiguous and confusingly phrased, but it seems like Bosch directly detecting the pathogen, in contrast to other rapid tests (which don't, presumably, use PCR, as that takes longer than "a few minutes").
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