05/19/2020

Coronavirus Tracker: AMA Warns About Antibody Testing Limits

May 19, 2020

Current updates on association response to the global COVID-19 crisis, along with a roundup of conference, travel and business news and information.

An Antibody Test Warning
Much has been made about antibody testing as a method for tracking the spread of COVID-19, but the American Medical Association (AMA) wants to be careful that the public doesn’t mistake antibodies for immunity.

Last week, AMA released guidance regarding the uses and potential limitations of serological testing, which is often used to detect antibodies. AMA President Patrice A. Harris, M.D., stated that more research needs to be done to reach that conclusion.

“Given that we do not yet have scientific evidence showing if, when and for how long individuals might become immune to COVID-19, physicians and the general public should not use antibody testing to consider anyone immune to the disease—doing so may lead individuals to falsely assume they can stop physical distancing and further the spread of illness,” Harris said in a news release.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.