Antibody tests that tell you whether or not you’ve had coronavirus in the past will be available on the NHS, Downing Street has confirmed.
The government has struck a deal with Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche so that the lab-based tests will be available for free “for people who need them”. NHS and care workers will be given priority, the Prime Minister’s spokesman confirmed this afternoon.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock will lay out more details of the plan at this afternoon’s Downing Street press conference, and is expected to say that healthcare workers will start being tested next week.
The tests require a blood sample. Scientists are still unsure that antibodies to coronavirus prevent a second infection.
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