The head of the NHS Test and Trace scheme has given an update on the roll out of antibody tests in the UK.
Speaking at a press briefing from Downing Street today, Baroness Dido Harding said that more information about how antibodies protect patients from catching coronavirus for a second time was needed before any further roll out is announced.
Currently, only those working in health or care settings are eligible for antibody testing.
Clinicians can also request tests for patients if they think it’s appropriate.
Baroness Harding said there were no plans to roll out antibody testing to the general public at this stage.
She told this morning's briefing: “We’ve tested over a million people for the antibody test in health and social care in only a few weeks, continuing to roll that out to people working in the NHS and social care.
“But at this stage the science isn’t clear enough yet to tell us whether the presence of antibodies and the level of antibodies in your blood gives you immunity.
“And so at this stage, the only actual information you get from an antibody test is that you have or haven’t got antibodies."
She said it was too early to say whether the test "is or isn’t a ‘game-changer’", adding: "We all want it to be – everyone wants to believe we will find that silver bullet in the science that means we know we’re going to be safe."
She said antibody testing would not be rolled out futher "unless the science gives us that answer we’re searching for".
Antibodies tests are used to detect whether a patient has previously had the virus.
The test works by taking a blood sample and testing for the presence of antibodies to see if the patient has developed an immune response.
However, government guidance says that there is no strong evidence yet to suggest that those who have had the virus develop long-lasting immunity which would prevent them from getting the virus again.
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