The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has revealed that the Health Protection Agency (HPA) will be testing the public for COVID-19 antibodies.
During NEOC's daily press conference held Tuesday, the centre's Spokesperson, Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said HPA will be testing members of the public to identify any persons who may have been infected with COVID-19 and recovered from the illness. In this regard, the first tests will be conducted at congested expatriate labour quarters which are currently under police surveillance, said Mabrook. Samples are already being collected for antibody testing from among expatriates currently housed at containment sites, he added.
An antibody or a serology test screens the body for signs of antibodies that help to fight infections. The body typically takes 1-3 weeks after infection to make antibodies.
The total number of COVID-19 infections recorded in the Maldives have now reached 1,143. Four COVID-19 related fatalities have been recorded in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
