Coronavirus Antibody Tests: Can You Trust the Results?

A team of scientists worked around the clock to evaluate 14 antibody tests. A few worked as advertised. Most did not. The researchers worked around the clock, in shifts of three to five hours, hoping to stave off weariness and keep their minds sharp for the delicate task.

Since the Food and Drug Administration has not yet confirmed that the antibody tests currently on the market for Covid-19 consistently deliver accurate results, scientists took the task into their own hands. More than 50 scientists are working in shifts to evaluate 14 tests on the market, and their preliminary results are not promising. Based on their research, only 3 of the 14 antibody tests consistently delivered reliable results, with even the most accurate tests displaying flaws. While it is important to note that this research has not yet been peer-reviewed and is subject to revision, mistakenly identifying antibodies in people who do not have them is dangerous. These so-called false positive results can lead people to believe they are immune to the virus when they are not, and accordingly abandon protective measures. Researchers found that only one of the 14 tests never delivered a false positive. This research reveals the grave importance of reliable, and consistently accurate tests.