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FDA is authorizing three new COVID-19 antibody tests

Posted at 9:38 AM, Apr 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-26 12:38:34-04

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The FDA is authorizing three new COVID-19 antibody tests which can indicate if someone is immune to re-infection. This brings the current total number of FDA authorized COVID-19 antibody tests to seven, according to the FDA.

This kind of FDA authorization carries a lower regulatory standard because it is under 'emergency use' standards. This means while the benefits outweigh any risks, the tests do carry the risk of false positives and negatives.

Patients who get results from one of these antibody tests should still follow social distancing guidelines accordin to the FDA.

It also remains unclear whether antibodies indicate that someone is immune to re-infection.