Has anyone been invited to take part in the covid antibody testing ?

[woodlandwonders]

And are you?

[Gosportinfo]

Yes result negative.

[woodlandwonders in reply to Gosportinfo]

Thanks for replying.

It's not an isolated one for me, it's part of a government research study? Random selection, if you agree to take part and are included, the test kit will be sent in two weeks. Once you have done the test, positive or negative you then fill in a online questionnaire .

[Gosportinfo in reply to woodlandwonders]

Mine was in June with the test I think done late June early July. I sent the result by photograph of the testing stick and answered a short survey online.

[woodlandwonders in reply to Gosportinfo]

Ah ,I see! This is a second round.

Thank you

[Gosportinfo in reply to woodlandwonders]

OK thank you all the best Ian

[Joliv61]

Yes I did it, had a negative result. Easy enough to do.

[woodlandwonders in reply to Joliv61]

Thank you

It says repeatedly throughout the letter, "pay no attention to your result" . So you do wonder why they would

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to woodlandwonders]

Don’t they say that so you don’t feel immune and stop social distancing etc.

[woodlandwonders in reply to Kristin1812]

Hi Kristin,

Please see my reply to Alison

[Alison_L]

Hi ww. Yes, I volunteer at my local hospital so had a "staff" test on 29th July which came back positive. At the end of March I had all the then minor symptoms (including loss of taste and smell) but didn't have the covid test as I didn't have a cough or a fever.

[Alison_L in reply to Alison_L]

Sorry, ww, I've just realised the random testing you're referring to. I have a couple of friends who get the covid test (as opposed to the antibody test) when they report ANY of the symptoms. As far as I know they haven't been asked to do an antibody test yet.

The reason you're told to pay no attention to the result is that no one knows yet what immunity the antibodies give, and you should therefore continue to wash mask distance, but that's partly what the research is for.

[woodlandwonders in reply to Alison_L]

Hi Alison,

Thanks for replying. Thank goodness coivid wasnt worse for you

My comment was a bit tounge in cheek. But yes they dont want people to feel "safe" The test also throws alot if false positive and false negative results. When they put these enmass through their computer system it can take account of those to produce a national estimate of exposure. On a single person level, not so great.

On another note. I used to run projects for volunteers as part of my old job and I think anyone who gives their time for the benefit of others is special.

Enjoy your day

[Alison_L in reply to woodlandwonders]

Thank you ww. I enjoyed the Cardiac Rehab at my hospital so much I volunteered for them! Although since lockdown, they haven't been able to use me so I've been doing drugs deliveries from the pharmacy to shielders instead

And this morning I signed up for UCL's Virus Watch study, so I may be getting more tests. Daft thing is, although they asked if I thought I'd had covid, and if I'd had a covid test, they didn't ask if I'd had an antibody test!!

Stay safe.

[woodlandwonders in reply to Alison_L]

I wish more people knew what a buzz Volunteering is

Take care .

[taliesin1411]

Part of the random Imperial College research/ Mine was in June with the test I think done late June . I sent the result by photograph of the testing stick and answered a short survey online.

[woodlandwonders in reply to taliesin1411]

Thanks for replying.

Thats the one! What do they want to know?