Antibody testing

From tomorrow, Wednesday 19 to Thursday 27 August 2020, the KEMH will undertake the next round of the SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing, looking for antibodies to the virus which causes COVID-19 disease. This test can tell whether a person has had the virus that causes COVID-19 in the past, by analysing a blood sample.

• A positive test result means that you have been infected with the COVID-19 virus at some point, probably more than 10 days ago, and have developed antibodies to the virus.
• A negative test result means that we have been unable to detect any antibodies to the virus in your blood sample.

Members of the public who would like to have an antibody test taken can contact the KEMH on 28000 to request an appointment.

About antibody testing

Current evidence suggests that not all people develop detectable antibodies to the virus following infection. Because COVID-19 is such a new virus, our understanding of the body’s immune system response to the infection is evolving rapidly. We do not know, for example, how long an antibody response lasts, nor whether having antibodies means you can’t transmit the virus to others or are immune to future infections with COVID-19. Our understanding of the virus will grow as new scientific evidence and studies emerge.

The result of your test will not change anything about the precautions you take around COVID-19. Following current Public Health advice is the best way to reduce the risk of catching or spreading viral diseases such as COVID-19. There is no evidence yet to suggest that those who have been proven to have the COVID-19 infection are immune. This is the position of the World Health Organization.

The results of the antibody tests will be anonymised and used to provide information on the prevalence of COVID-19 across the Falklands. This should enable better understanding of the spread of the disease.