Tony Blair explained antibody tests are vital in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic even though the accuracy of the tests is questionable. The former Labour Prime Minister admitted the accuracy of the tests is unknown but is adamant they should be used to help fight COVID-19. It comes as the UK has made huge advances in a vaccine and will begin human trials this week.
Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Mr Blair said: “It’s true there is a big debate around the accuracy of these tests.
“Although what I’ve learnt as i’ve gone into it more is that the problem witht he antibody test is less to do with the quality of the test per se.
“It’s to do with the time in the pathway of an individuals disease that you do the antibody testing.
“If you look at some of the data coming out from South Korea for example, you’ll find that in the first week of someone having the disease, you give them an antibody test and find it’s a false test and inaccurate reading.
“But after 12 days or two weeks they’re almost always accurate.
“It’s not that antibody tests aren’t accurate, it’s when you give that test.
“Even if there is some inaccuracy, I stll think the antibody test is a vital part of what we’re trying to do.”
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