Soon, US citizens may be able to find out if they have contracted the novel coronavirus with a prick of the finger and a mobile phone. This can be done without leaving their homes, says an article.

Scanwell Health

Scanwell Health, a digital healthcare business, is applying for a clearance from the government of the United States for a kit that allows its users to send to doctors through their mobile phones a scanned image of a blood test.

The Scanwell Rapid Serology Test

According to Scanwell Health, in a couple of hours, the user will find out if his or her blood has antibodies for the novel coronavirus.

The entire testing occurs inside the user's home, started by Jack Jeng, the Chief Medical Officer of Scanwell Health. This means that there is no need to ship any specimen anywhere, he added.

A positive result from the test means that the user has contracted the novel coronavirus. This result implies that the body of the person had released antibodies to fight the infection.

The test called the Scanwell Rapid Serology Test works by looking for a specific antibody in the blood.

Antibodies Detection

According to the University of Colorado's pharmacology professor David Kroll, when antibodies are detected in a person, this means that the body remembered the virus, and it is making antibodies to fight future infections.

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The Limits of the Proposed Test

Limits of the test include determining if the user is currently sick with the novel coronavirus, identifying if a person is contagious, finding out if a person is immune to the virus, and knowing if that person is allowed to go out in public.

Since the test cannot function as a diagnostic test, there is a need for it to be combined with other information if the user of the test is positive for COVID-19.

When combined with symptoms such as cough, sore throat, or fever, a positive test could be a diagnosis for the illness. This is how these rapid serology tests are being utilized in China, says Jeng.

Other companies such as LabCorp and Quest are creating tests for the detection of antibodies. However, these tests are for hospital and laboratory usage.

The FDA had issued its first Emergency Use Authorization on Thursday for a rapid antibody blood test. Cellex developed the test, and it is for laboratory usage.

The difference with the Throat and Nasal Swab Tests for COVID-19 Diagnosis

The Scanwell test is not the same with the throat and nasal swab tests for the novel coronavirus. These are also known as PCR tests. They identify infection by detecting the genetic material of the deadly novel coronavirus.

On the other hand, the Scanwell test is more like a history book that determines if an individual had contracted the virus, and their antibodies are revealing its occurrence.