How to detect previous exposure to Covid-19 through antibody testing, to better identify and understand community transmission

This project has focused on establishing a way to provide evidence that an individual has been previously exposed to Covid-19 by detecting the presence of virus antibodies in blood. Accurate antibody-based tests (also known as serological tests) will underpin multiple strands of the pandemic response including clinical diagnostics and efforts to understand transmission and the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. The assay platform for antibody testing will be established in the Infection and Immunity laboratories at the University of Auckland as part of a collaborative effort involving scientists and clinicians across the country. The Covid antigens are being produced by groups at Callaghan Innovation and in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland.