UK Has 20-Minute Antibody Test, Orders 50M of Them

Oxford scientists reportedly have an accurate antibody test from the pin prick blood sample that will work in 20 minutes, and the United Kingdom has ordered the production of 50 million tests of the "game-changer" COVID-19 devices.

"This could be the game changer – a breakthrough moment to help us turn the tide on the virus," a government source told the U.K.'s Daily Mail.

The hope is the U.K. can resume work and social activities in June, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is "raring to go" in his own recovery, according to the report.

"This is a great story of how our manufacturers are stepping up to the challenge of COVID, and I am hopeful that their product will make an impact in our battle against this terrible disease," Health Minister Lord Bethell told the Mail.

The U.K. plans produce a million of the antibody tests by June and get production up to 50 million by next year.

"We are close to picking up 100% of all cases where people have antibodies," Rapid Testing Consortium leader Jonathan Allis told the Mail. "Now it is just a question of scaling up the manufacturing process."

PM Johnson's return to work Monday is a promising sign for the U.K., which has surpassed 148,377 cases and 20,319 deaths, according to Worldometers, which culls data from Johns Hopkins University and worldwide media reports.

"Boris is tightening his grip," a government source told the Mail. "You are going to see much greater clarity, energy and purpose now."

The 20-minute test will cost £10, which is $12.37 U.S., and as simple as a pregnancy test with the prick of blood from a finger, per the Mail.

The belief being, if you have the antibodies, you can return to work and socializing, although some health experts have questioned whether having antibodies for the coronavirus truly makes you immune or whether it means you can still spread the disease.

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