False Postives - Corona Mutation and Testing

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//Moving Forwards With COVID//

Following COVID-19 and the ensuing pandemic over the last few months has been a life changing experience for me. Aside from social distancing, it has pushed me towards understanding government policies and the science behind various announcement. Infections across populations has been widespread with inevitable mortality creeping up over time, it’s worth remembering that there is also a chunk of this population that has recovered. Many countries have been discussing the possibility of health passports, I’m not quite keen on such an approach but they remain as a possible approach moving forwards. The WHO have been issuing various statements regarding the uncertainty as to whether the virus can infect a recovered person. Cases in Asia nearing almost 300 were pointing towards reinfection being possible.

//No Mutation – Yet//

Scientists in South Korea have concluded that as of now, there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 has the ability to reactivate in the human body after immunity is developed. Genetic analysis takes a deeper look at the structure of the virus and discovers if the virus has mutated in any way, potentially derailing vaccines, treatment and side stepping immunity. Cases involving second term of infection were determined to be false positives, meaning that recovery and immunity can still be assumed for the time being. It is possible for the virus to mutate in some form and cause reinfection but this has not been observed just yet.

//False Confidence//

It would appear the one of the biggest problem for scientists at the moment is the accuracy and reliability of results. The possibility of viral mutation introduced by inaccurate has caused great concern but on the flip-side, correct diagnosis and tracing of numbers is also scattered. Those who might feel they are perfectly healthy through a single test may fall victim to inaccurate testing, meaning health passports hold little value until absolute certainty can be assured.

//Accurate Testing//

I have been living with the assumption that that the virus is all around, it feels like a form of paranoia. Sometimes one might even wonder if they have already had the virus over the past few months with minor symptoms and inaccurate tests simply add to these thoughts of uncertainty. Abbott Laboratories have developed a new coronavirus test that has been observed to be 99% accurate and are continuing to develop tests. Their stocks have risen accordingly, tests have been authorised for use across Europe. Swiss healthcare company, Roche, have also developed an anti-body test with similar certainty. FDA approval has brought the test forward for a more accurate look at the pandemic. These testing kits will be important moving forwards as data continues to be accumulated and new strategies put into place as the world figures out how to keep things moving until a definitive solution is developed.

Sources

https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2020-05-03.htm
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/coronavirus-antibody-test-approval-news-europe-uk-accuracy-abbot-a9490026.html