Coronavirus cases passes 5 million as the Covid-19 antibody test becomes available.

At least 5% of people in the UK have now developed COVID-19 antibodies, with the number rising to 17% in London, a study has found announcedby Matt Hancock during the pandemic emergency update.

Care homes in Hertfordshire are to receive £13million of government funding to control the spread of infection as the Covid-19 pandemic continues.

One Watford player and two members of staff have tested positive for Covid-19. “Watford Football Club confirms that three people have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus following testing at the training ground over the past 48 hours.” but names are not being revealed due to patient privacy.

It is now possible to buy the Covid-19 antibody test. The SARS-CoV-2 test can only be taken at least 14 days or over after any infection.

Currently the certified test can only be bought online for £69 from Superdrug. It allows you to take a pin-prick blood sample yourself, bit it has yo be sent in for analysis.

The pharmacy was the first high street retailer to launch such a test which will be sold via Superdrug’s Online Doctor service.

The test will not give you a positive result if you do not have coronavirus antibodies.

The kit includes:

instructions for using the test kit
an alcotip swab to clean the finger(s) you’re using for testing
3 lancets (needle devices for finger pricking)
a tube for collecting your sample
a protective plastic wallet for the sample tube
a plaster for your finger(s)
a label for filling out your details
a prepaid addressed envelope for posting your sample

The tests, which reveal whether a person has had Covid-19, will be “free for people who need them” and priority will be given to NHS staff and care workers.

On Wednesday Mr Powis warned people against using commercially available antibody tests, being sold by Superdrug for £69, which had not been approved by Public Health England.

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