A new test is in the works that will read blood antibodies to see if the person undergoing the test could have what it takes to fight off COVID-19.
The information learned could be a valuable asset in the fight against this new coronavirus and potentially lead to a vaccine to protect humans against the COVID-19 infection.
WWL-TV reports the test has just been approved by the FDA.
One of the developers of the test, New Orleans native Dr. Joe Blackston, claims he and his wife came down with something that was not determined to be the flu while working at a hospital in Vicksburg.
“We had what you would call flu symptoms, cold symptoms. We had a cough, congestion, fever. We coughed and coughed as everyone else does for a couple of weeks afterward,” Dr. Blackston told the station.
WWL-TV’s story says the couple tested negative for the flu. Blackston wonders if it was COVID-19.
Blackston says a serology (blood) test would check the antibody count among patients.
The results could provide knowledge for people treating COVID-19 patients.
Antibodies could also be used in transfusions to boost the immunity levels of patients struggling with the infection.
And finally, it would give doctors the fighting chance to study the deadly aspects of COVID-19 and potential immunity among people who are closely associated.
