covid antibody tests with nearly 100% accuracy and which can detect variants are being cited as a "game changer" for the global response to the pandemic.
The new tests can detect antibody responses to infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus with more than 98% accuracy, compared to the current rate of 60-93% and hoped to be rolled out on the NHS.
For the first time, the new tests can be used to estimate the prevalence of circulating variant strains such as Alpha and Delta.
The tests, created by the University of Aberdeen, can also assess the long-term immunity of a person and whether immunity is vaccine-induced or due to previous exposure to the infection - information crucial to helping to prevent the spread.