The case for smarter coronavirus testing

  • 📰 ABSCBNNews
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 82 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Qulity Score:
  • News: 36%
  • Publisher: 83%

The case for smarter coronavirus testing | via nytimes COVID19

Philippines Headlines News

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc in communities around the country, many people are seeking tests for evidence either of the virus itself or antibodies to it, an indicator of past infection.

Late in June, there were long lines for testing, noted Dr. Howard Bauchner, editor of JAMA. He said that if people had been well and not knowingly exposed to the virus there was no reason for them to be tested. Overuse of testing clogs up the testing lines, he said, and could make it more difficult for people truly infected to get a test that would help protect others .

A further caveat: The FBI warned last month that scammers were advertising fraudulent antibody tests, and urged those seeking a test to consult the Food and Drug Administration’s website for an approved list of tests and testing companies. The two main types of antibodies relevant to COVID-19 are immunoglobulin M, which the body generates during an active infection but that gradually dissipate, and immunoglobulin G, which are long-term antibodies. But Wilson emphasized, “The mere presence of antibodies does not mean that those antibodies are protective.”

Osterholm, who directs the center, explained that accurate testing requires the use of tests that are least likely to result in either false-negative or false-positive results. He called drive-in tests that many people now seek “terrible,” generating lots of false-negative and false-positive results, in part because of how samples are collected.

You might think any test with 95 percent sensitivity and 95 percent specificity would be highly accurate. But while these would be great grades on an organic chemistry final, the ability of such a test to render a reliable result is extremely poor: 50 percent of the positive results would not be true positives, Osterholm said.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 5. in PH
 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

LIST: Where to get drive-through coronavirus tests in the PHSome Philippine hospitals and local governments have already set up drive-through facilities. More than providing faster service, drive-throughs are considered safer because there is less face-to-face contact. Rappler compiles where these facilities ar... Do they change the gloves they wear every new patient? Otherwise whats the use?
Source: rapplerdotcom - 🏆 4. / 86 Read more »

‘Rising despite lockdown’MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is one of nine countries that are seeing a rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases despite having the world’s toughest lockdowns to stop coronavirus
Source: cebudailynews - 🏆 8. / 71 Read more »

House records 13th COVID-19 caseMANILA, Philippines — A member of the security force in the House of Representatives has tested positive for the new coronavirus disease, bringing to 13 the total number of confirmed cases in the di lahat ng congresista, positive na din? It') must be slowly creeping in to get to the lousy 70. Hope he shook hands with the evil 70
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »

9 children among new COVID cases in BulacanThe Bulacan Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported a surge in coronavirus cases with nine children aged five to 13 as among the 23 new cases.
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

Gov’t to launch new program on expanded virus testingThe government is expected to 'invest heavily' in ramping up efforts to test and track down people possibly infected with the new coronavirus disease. DEAR PRESIDENT TRUMP. PLEASE HELP THE FILIPINOS. OUR COUNTRY IS NOW RULED BY A TYRANT UNDER THE DICTATES OF CHINA CCP XI JIN PING. SAVE OUR COUNTRY FROM THE CLAWS OF A DICTATOR AND HELP US TO HAVE BACK OUR FREEDOM YOU AMERICANS HAVE HELPED US TO ACHIEVE LONG TIME AGO.
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

Liloan market disinfected but to remain closed until further noticeOn Friday night, town officials announced the closure of the Capulay Market after a meat vendor tested positive for the coronavirus disease.
Source: cebudailynews - 🏆 8. / 71 Read more »