Antibody ELISA tests play an important role in surveillance of COVID-19
The world over, countries are eagerly waiting for a vaccine to give their people protection against SARS-CoV-2. In the interim period, health officials are relying on serology (antibody) testing for public health decision making and bringing life back to normal. Critical use of antibody tests The presentation of symptoms and a positive RT-PCR test gives a confirmation of the COVID-19 infection. However, there is a large population that remains asymptomatic and hence undiagnosed. In fact, various studies conducted at different times during this pandemic, have indicated to a significantly large population in India being asymptomatic. And that has led to the speculation about whether or not these people can further transmit the virus. Obviously, this can be dangerous for India in the long run, if these asymptomatic carriers remain untraced. This is where antibody testing plays an important role. While RT-PCR and antigen tests assess the viral load in infected patients; antibody test helps