COVID-19 Test Specification Details

What test are we using?

We are using the Abbott IgG Antibody Test. It is a CE marked, automated, interfaced, laboratory test, not a Rapid linear flow (cartridge) test.

• SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody GCOV
• Sample Type SST/Serum (>14 days after onset of symptoms)
• Specificity 100%
• Sensitivity 97.5%
• Analyser Abbott Architect

This means that if you test positive you can be 100% certain that the result is accurate and that if you test negative for IgG there is a 2.5% chance that the result is not accurate and that you did in fact have the illness but antibodies have not been found. This is a small risk. The laboratory we use is The Doctor’s Laboratory. TDL is the largest independent provider of clinical laboratory diagnostic services in the UK.

We will send your result by text and it is usually available within 24 hours of the sample reaching the laboratory.

The result will be as follows

Covid Antibody (IgG)	What this means	What I should do
Negative	You have no evidence of ever having been infected with COVID	Follow Public Health England guidance on staying safe and avoiding infection
Positive	Evidence of past infection	No action needed. Follow Public Health England guidance on staying safe and avoiding infection

If you have positive IgG ie evidence of past infection and recovery please be aware that it is not known yet if your antibodies are able to protect you against re-infection, and it is not known how long they will last in your blood.

We also wanted to let you know that should you develop symptoms that may be caused by COVID in the future we have a rapid postal COVID antigen (PCR) test which we can send out to you. This is a self administered nose and throat swab which if taken correctly is very accurate for current infection. The test can be bought here.

How to use the fingerprick sample collection method

The test will be delivered to you via Special Delivery. Each kit comes with 3 lances for drawing blood and instructions on how to draw the sample. A video guide is available to watch here. Please post the sample to the laboratory in the postage envelope provided.