"Based on the epidemic control strategy in the country, which provides for the involvement of non-public institutions, in order to increase the capacity to cope with the situation, the Technical Committee of Experts has approved the Protocol for the start of serological testing in non-public structures. The tests must be validated in advance by the IPH, ”reads the official announcement of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
"Only serological tests approved by the National Agency for Drugs and Medical Devices will be allowed to be used in non-public licensed laboratories and recognized by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, as laboratories that meet the standards for serological testing, for the presence of antibodies generated by Sars-Cov2.
Meanwhile, we will continue to perform serological tests in the microbiology laboratory at QSUT. It is also planned to start serological testing in a sample of the population, for study purposes by the Institute of Public Health. "
Offending. Serological tests for SARS-CoV-2 are blood tests that focus on plasma and blood elements to see if a person has been infected with the coronavirus. These tests look for antibodies that the immune system generates to fight infection. So serological tests reveal the body's response to the virus, not the virus itself.
Regarding antibody testing (also known as antibodies) the ministry explains:
1. The antibody test shows whether or not you have had the SARS-CoV-2 infection in the past, but this test does not show and should not be used to identify the current infection. It will take 1-3 weeks after infection for the body to produce antibodies. These results are important to inform people who may qualify as blood donors, which can be used to prepare convalescent plasma, a product that is being seen for use in people who are very ill with Covid -19.
2. Whatever the test result, positive or negative, protective measures must still be taken for oneself and others.
3. Only serological tests approved by the National Agency for Drugs and Medical Devices will be allowed to be used and evaluated.
4. These tests can be used in public and private laboratories. Also, these tests are used in Seroprevalence studies, where the IPH estimates the total number of people who are infected, including those infections that have not been identified.
