20-Minute COVID-19 Blood Test Devised, Australian Researchers Announce

Australian scientists developed a test that can identify COVID-19 contagion in just 20 minutes through the use of blood samples. This is what they consider as a world-first breakthrough.

According to scientists at Monash University, the test can detect if an individual is presently infected with the virus or if they have been infected.

Researchers also said short-term applications would include identification of rapid case, as well as contact tracing to limit the spread of the virus. 

Meanwhile, the testing of people is going on to identify the degree of viral infection across societies, which the researchers said is a long-term need.

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A Joint Analysis

The team of researchers was headed by BioPRIA and the Chemical Engineering Department of Monash University, which includes scientists from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent BioNano Science and Technology.

Their assessment, with the use of 25 microlites of plasma from blood samples, is searching for agglutination or collection of red blood cells caused by the COVID-19.

While the present swab test is utilized to trace people infected with COVID-19, the researchers said, the assessment to identify the existence and degree of a substance found in the blood can identify as well if an individual has recently been infected after the contagion has been treated.

A Patent for the Technology Filed

According to the researchers, hundreds of blood samples can be examined every hour. From this development, they added, they are looking forward to it, to be used to identify antibodies raised in response to vaccination in support for clinical tests.

In connection to this new progress to combat COVID-19, the scientists said, a patent for the technology has been filed, and they asked for government and commercial backing to fast-track production. 

Incidentally, COVID-19 has infected more than 14.1 million people and killed over 590,000 people worldwide since it developed last year in China. Also, to date, Australia reported more than 11,200 confirmed cases and 116 deaths from the virus.

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Antibody Test Previously Conducted 

Early this week, reports came out about the antibody test that identifies if a person contracted COVID-19 before, and has since recovered from the infectious disease.

The test is done with a pen-like device by pricking the finger for blood. Medical reports indicate that the blood is examined for antibodies to determine if an individual has recovered from the virus.

Relatively, the test for the virus the government is currently utilizing can identify if an individual is infected and not if he got the virus and got recovered.

In addition, swab test results take longer to become available. Also, the antibody test mentioned is known as a serological test, as well.

Researchers who studied about antibody tests claimed that those individuals who produce antibodies after an infection caused by COVID-19 might be protected from getting infected with the virus again.

This means that if someone gets positive results from the antibody test, he then may have a certain amount of protection or immunity.

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