ICMR issues advisory for rapid antibody test at hotspots, details

New Delhi - Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued an advisory for carrying out antibody testing for all symptomatic individuals in coronavirus hotspots in the country.

Rapid antibody testing ensures speedy detection of viral cases and normally takes around 15-30 minutes to give the result.

The test is approved by the United States Food and Drugs Association and validated by Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Virology, with marketing approval by the Drug Controller General of India.

"As a matter of abundant precaution, all symptomatic ILI (influenza-like illness) are to be monitored in health facilities. Any surge in cases to be monitored and brought to the notice of the surveillance officer or CMO for additional investigation," the advisory said.

According to the guidelines, district health authorities would monitor people showing symptoms of cough, cold, low grade fever or sore throat and each of them would be advised 14 days home quarantine.

If the antibody test comes positive, the patients must be admitted to the hospital. "After clinical assessment, treatment in hospital or isolation as per protocol to be initiated for contact tracing," the advisory said.

If the test comes negative in symptomatic patients, Real Time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests can be carried out, if warranted. If it comes out positive, then the patient has to be isolated and admitted in the hospital for further treatment.

PCR tests detect novel coronavirus from throat or nasal swab samples of people with symptoms. It takes about five hours for the results to come out.

"If the PCR test is not done, home quarantine and repeat antibody testing after 10 days of the last rapid antibody test will be done," it added.

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The guidelines states the following

Advisory to start rapid antibody based blood test for COVID-19 (4 April 2020)

Strategy for areas reporting clusters (containment zone) and in large migration gatherings/evacuees centres

Cases of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) to be monitored in health facilities. Any surge in cases to be monitored and brought to the notice of Surveillance Officer/CMO for additional investigation. As a matter of abundant precautions, all symptomatic ILI persons should be advised home quarantine for 14 days.

At facility level, symptomatic ILI individuals to be tested using rapid antibody tests.

o Antibody test negative:

 If warranted, confirm by real-time RT-PCR using throat/nasal swab.

 RT-PCR negative: Likely non-COVID-19 ILI

 RT-PCR positive: Confirmed COVID-19 Case and action as per protocol to be initiated for isolation, treatment and contact tracing.

OR

 If real-time RT-PCR not done, home quarantine and repeat antibody testing after 10 days of the last rapid antibody test.

 Antibody test negative: Likely non-COVID-19 ILI.

 Antibody test positive: there is possibility of recent infection, quarantine for another 10 days.

o Antibody test positive: After clinical assessment, treatment in hospital or isolation as per protocol. Action as per protocol to be initiated for contact tracing.

If symptoms worsen, refer to designated COVID-19 hospitals.

When home quarantine is not feasible, consider facility-based quarantine.