Scientists at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in the US have developed a new method to quickly identify Covid-19 neutralising antibodies, which has now been recognised with a TechConnect Innovation Award. The novel test uses a chimeric receptor protein to distinguish neutralising antibodies from non-neutralising ones. It also delivers results in just 15 minutes using specimens obtained with a finger prick.

The Isreal Ministry of Health is likely to recommend cancelling antibody tests for children aged five to 11 once vaccinations are rolled out for this group in order to improve vaccination rates, reports Times of Israel. Children in Israel currently have to test positive for Covid-19 antibodies to obtain a ‘Green Pass’, which then permits them to enter public venues. Once vaccinations are available for this age group, this will be the only way to obtain the pass, sources have told Israel’s Channel 12 News.

The Kennewick School District (KSD) in the US has started providing a Covid-19 testing programme called ‘Test to Stay’ in all the schools in the region. The programme is intended for non-symptomatic students who have come in close contact with a Covid-19-positive person at the school or a school-related event, NBC reported. The new programme intends to permit such students to continue attending school as long as they do not have symptoms and test negative for Covid-19 using the Abbott BianaxNOW COVID-19 Self-Test.