1.5 Million Abbott Serology Tests Ordered For CA: Coronavirus

TEMECULA, CA — On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state has ordered 1.5 million coronavirus serology tests from Abbott Laboratories to be used at 130 facilities across California. The test — also called an antibody test — may be the next step in battling the virus, but the governor cautioned it is not yet a "panacea."

The test is designed to detect antibodies in people previously infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Facilities can run 100-200 serology tests an hour using Abbott laboratory instruments, according to the company.

Abbott is making the test available in California and elsewhere without an Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as outlined in the agency's guidelines for COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

Newsom cautioned the serology tests are not replacing current COVID-19 swab testing underway statewide. He called the swab testing "priority," and said he is aiming to have 60,000-80,000 Californians tested per day. He also announced Wednesday that the state is building "an army of tracers" who will join existing healthcare infrastructure to help track the virus.

Although the state has been low on test kit supplies, including swabs, Newsom told reporters that he received assurance Wednesday from President Trump that hundreds of thousands of swabs are on their way to California from the federal government.

While the swab tests can identify people currently infected with the virus, the serology tests can help scientists better understand how long the antibodies stay in the body and if they provide immunity — information that can also help public health officials understand how widespread the outbreak is. The data might also help support the development of treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, according to Abbott.

"Antibody testing has the potential to unlock a lot of unknowns about this novel virus," said John Hackett, divisional vice president of Applied Research and Technology, Diagnostics, Abbott. "Having tests that can work in different healthcare settings is critical to our understanding of the virus and to helping give healthcare providers answers they need about their patients."

The governor did not provide specifics on how the serology tests might be rolled out across California.

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