Analysis Coronavirus testing

摘要

THE UK has ordered 3.5 million antibody tests designed to reveal whether people have been infected with the new coronavirus. The UK's prime minister, Boris Johnson, who last week announced that he has tested positive for the virus, has said these tests will be a "game changer", but the reality is they might not have that much of an impact in the short term. Almost all testing for the virus around the world is based on looking for its genetic sequence. But such tests require nose or throat swabs to be taken by trained personnel and sent to a specialised lab for analysis, and there is a global shortage of equipment. Genetic tests also detect only active infections.