Corporate Covid 19

COVID-19 testingUnderstand COVID-19 testing and the available options

What's new?

The importance of testing

PCR test or antibody test? Watch our video to learn which test does what

Limiting spread and containing outbreaks
A person with COVID-19 on average infects two or more other people.3,4 The tricky part: While they are infectious, people are often not aware that they have the disease because they do not (yet) display any typical symptoms. Given the high infection rate and the environmental stability of the virus, it is vital to identify infected individuals as early as possible, so that they can seek medical guidance and self-isolate. On a larger scale this of course also helps to reduce the overall spread of the virus. Antigen tests and PCR tests help here.

Minimizing individual risk and informing action
To understand the bigger picture of the actual disease spread and to determine an individual’s risk, it is also important to know, if a person was already exposed to the virus and infection has resolved. Some tests may detect antibodies that neutralize the virus and growing research shows that these antibodies may indicate immunity.5,6,7 If immunity is proven, such antibody tests could for example help decide if workforce can safely return to a workplace where social distancing is a challenge, in conjunction with antigen testing and/or PCR testing.

Antigen test: Know if you have COVID-19, fast

PCR tests are still the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 testing when it comes to accuracy. However, they can also present challenges: the delivery of test results may take some time and PCR tests don’t have the high throughput capability of an automated test. That’s where antigen tests come in. There are two types: a simple, visual read test for individual people and a lab-based, automated test for large quantities of patient samples. 

CLINITEST

The CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test8 helps identify infected individuals in just 15 minutes anywhere. The easy-to-use visual read test does not require specialized lab personnel or instruments, offering the flexibility to test in locations that benefit from immediate results but have limited access to laboratory resources. The test only requires a nasal swab from both nostrils. The swab is then washed in a reagent, dissolving a specific protein from the surface of the virus. This liquid is dropped into a well in the test cassette. Within 15 minutes, the test sample flows into the field of view of the cassette and becomes visible by a dash. The position and number of lines indicate whether the test result is positive or negative, or whether something was done incorrectly during the test procedure and the test must be repeated.

COVID-19

When it comes to testing large quantities of patient samples quickly and cost-effectively, our lab-based SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Assay9 is an ideal tool. For example at on-site collection centers for hospital staff, patients and visitors, remote collection facilities for large scale testing of local populations or in dedicated, pop-up labs at airports or large universities. The test was designed with the objective to maximize sensitivity to both current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants. It shows strong alignment to PCR methods with sensitivity exceeding 94% and specificity at 100% for the Atellica IM COVAg test.10 With availability of CoV2Ag on the Atellica IM Analyzer, laboratories can significantly increase the SARS-CoV-2 testing capacity with a platform that can run up to 440 tests per hour.11


PCR test: Do I have COVID-19?

Our scientist Christos Loukas explains how PCR tests work

Our FTD SARS-CoV-21 test is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. It detects viral RNA which is the genetic material of the virus and is used to confirm active COVID-19 infections in both symptomatic people and those that do not display any symptoms yet or at all. To collect a sample of respiratory secretions that can be tested for the virus, it‘s typically medical personnel that swabs a person‘s nose and throat.

Keyvisual when it should be taken

If you have COVID-19 symptoms or may have been exposed to the virus. Or if you are asymptomatic and want to return to the workplace—to check that you are not infected and spreading the virus.

Keyvisual Average speed

Depending on your healthcare provider, it take 2 hours to 5 days results.

Keyvisual accuracy

Highly accurate tests should maximize sensitivity. Some have 100% sensitivity. High sensitivity is important because it better detects who has the virus.

Keyvisual Results and actions

You most likely do have a current infection and may give it to others. Quarantine to stop transmission. For additional actions to take, please consult your physician and follow your country's official guidance.

Keyvisual results and actions

You most likely do not currently have COVID-19 but you could still get it, if you did not already have it. Take steps to protect yourself and others. Take an antibody test to see if you may have been infected but were asymptomatic.

Antibody test: Measure neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19

Our scientist Jim Freeman explains why antibody testing is important

When an individual is infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, unique antibodies will develop at different stages of the infection. Our total antibody test1 detects antibodies (IgM and IgG) that people develop as part of an immune response to a COVID-19 infection. Our COV2G antibody test1 detects IgG antibodies that persist, and are the basis for an individual’s longer term immune response. This test demonstrates the ability to detect neutralizing antibodies and can report quantitative results measuring the amount of neutralizing antibodies present in a patient's blood sample. The combination of both tests provides a more complete picture of a patient’s serological status for the most accurate results.

Keyvisual when it should be taken

If you think you had COVID-19 more than 2 weeks ago and want to know if you had it. Or in conjunction with a PCR test, if you are asymptomatic, to help determine if it is likely safe for you to travel or return to the workplace.

Keyvisual Average speed

Depending on your healthcare provider it may take 30 minutes to 5 days to receive your results.

Keyvisual accuracy

Highly accurate tests have over 99.5% specificity and over 90% sensitivity. Some have demonstrated 99.8% specificity and 100% sensitivity. Sensitivity is the test's ability to identify those with antibodies, and specificity is the test's ability to identify those without antibodies.

Keyvisual Results and actions

You likely had COVID-19 and may have some level of immunity to future re-infection. Take a PCR test to confirm you have no active infection. Self-protect and test again regularly to identify whether antibodies are still present.

Keyvisual results and actions

You likely never had COVID-19 but you could still get it. Take a PCR test to rule out an active infection. Self-protect and test again regulary.

Learn more

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12