LONDON (UK) – Test kits shall be available within days in the UK for households to establish if people contract coronavirus and developed an immunity.
National Infection Service’s interim director Sharon Peacock announced millions of the antibody tests were ordered and some can be administered without leaving home.
The antigen tests available now show if someone has the virus only if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. In comparison,
The tests are designed to establish whether people have previously been infected with coronavirus, as opposed to antigen tests which show if someone has the virus as they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
“These are brand new products. We have to be clear they work as they are claimed to do. Once they have been tested, and that will happen this week, once the bulk of tests arrive, they will be distributed into the community. Testing the test is a small matter, and I would anticipate that it would be done by the end of this week.”
– Sharon Peacock, National Infection Service Interim Director
The test kits can be distributed via Amazon, Peacock said.
Several different models of the test are available and to purchase some of them, people may need to go to a high street chemist.
The tests are to be available at a minimal charge. It is unsure if they will be available next but Peacock confirmed that it wouldn’t take weeks or months- just days.
On Tuesday, British Health Minister Matt Hancock announced the purchase of 3.5 million of the test kits.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.