Is Blockchain Just for Cryptocurrencies?

Blockchain technology is an online database that offers information to organizations and enables them to record their transactions easily. The database is encrypted, so all communications are done between the organization and the peer-to-peer network only when it’s veritable.

The technology offers an excellent way to transfer data from point X to Y without worrying about false data being stored in the database because that would falsify the whole chain of millions of instances. Blockchain provides accountability since the transactions recorded pass through multiple-party verification and no transaction in the database can be changed by the parties later on.

What is blockchain technology?

As the name implies, blockchain is essentially blocks of encrypted data stored in a database (or ledger). Many would like to think of it as a robust spreadsheet. A single block of data links to a previous block, thus forming a chain. What makes blockchain unique is the fact that it’s a network of interconnected computers that don’t depend on a centralized entity to execute interactions.

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A central authority manages most databases that keep financial information. But with the blockchain database, the ledger is amended and updated communally by all the computers that are connected in the network. Since the records are held communally, no financial institution or computer is in charge. So, if a single computer in the system gets knocked offline or is hacked, the others can still function without it.

Advantages and disadvantages of blockchain

Pros

Cons

Blockchain and cryptocurrencies

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In the context of cryptocurrencies, blockchain features a stable chain of blocks, each with a list of previously approved transactions. The blockchain network works as a decentralized ledger because its run by a network of computers spread worldwide. So, each participant (node) holds a copy of the blockchain data and communicates with the others to make sure they are all on the same page.

Blockchain transaction happens within a peer-to-peer network and is what makes Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies decentralized digital currencies that are borderless and censorship-resistant. The whole point of using this technology is to allow people – especially those who don’t trust each other – to share critical data in a secure and tamper-proof manner. This is because blockchain technology holds data using innovative software and sophisticated math functions that are extremely difficult for hackers to manipulate.

Is blockchain just for cryptocurrencies? 

One of the first real-world uses of blockchain technology was in Bitcoin, a virtual currency that was announced in 2008 by Satoshi Nakamoto (pseudonym). But these types of projects are not tied to the Bitcoin network alone. In fact, most blockchains have nothing to do with Bitcoin. Once the Bitcoin blockchain had been around for a while – successfully recording all Bitcoin transactions and surviving vast attacks – many entrepreneurs and programmers wondered if the Bitcoin data security design might be applied to create other types of secure databases, unrelated to Bitcoin.

Today, startups, SMEs, and large scale companies across different types of fields are increasingly integrating blockchain into their daily operations. It is now widely used in banking and finance to facilitate payments, improve capital markets, trade finance, deter money laundering, and in insurance. It also has applications in business, especially in areas like healthcare, supply chain management, real estate, media, and energy. The government, too, can use the technology for record management, identity management, taxes, voting, regulatory/compliance oversight and a virtually infinite amount of other types of real-world applications.

Blockchain’s best features for corporations

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The growing applications and use cases of blockchain technology

Healthcare industry

One of the main challenges that healthcare professionals face is to share information across platforms securely. A seamless flow of data between providers could increase the chances of accurate diagnoses and effective treatment. It’ll also lower the cost of healthcare. Blockchain technology allows healthcare institutions and other related parties to share network access without affecting the integrity or security of data.

Critical infrastructure security

The internet infrastructure has proven vulnerable to attacks, particularly when it comes to the Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Since critical infrastructures like transportation and power plants have connected sensors, there’s a heightened risk to the civil society. Luckily, some companies are using the tamper-proof database to share critical information across their networks. Others are using blockchain to offer massive scale data authentication. A good example is using blockchain powered Keyless Signature Infrastructure (KSI) to tag and verify data transactions.

Supply chain management 

The supply chain involves a series of transaction nodes that connect to move goods from one point to another. The technology allows businesses to document transactions in a decentralized record, thus limiting delays, human errors, and added costs. Different companies are coming up with blockchain-based products that enable enterprises to engage clients at the point-of-sale with data collected collaboratively from suppliers along the supply chain.

Blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT)

Blockchain technology decentralizes cloud services, therefore increasing security, connectivity, and computational power. This solves the inefficiency problems – especially those surrounding data storage and computational resources – that are associated with launching IoT products.

Blockchain and cloud storage

Companies that provide cloud storage usually keep clients’ data in one secure server, which makes it vulnerable to attacks. Blockchain cloud storage services decentralize data storage, making it less prone to hacks that can lead to systemic damage and colossal data loss. Companies are now providing blockchain-enabled cloud storage to enhance security and also reduce the cost of storing data in the cloud.

Blockchain ensures the security of data. The information stored in blockchain is fully decentralized since it’s kept in multiple nodes across the globe rather than in a single place. This addresses the concern of data protection in case there’s an error or breach. Records that are uploaded in blockchain aren’t accessible to or controlled by an individual. But each party holding the data has a private key that they can use to access the encrypted files. So, even if a hacker gets to access a folder, he/she will only see a partial file –which won’t be useful. That’s why industries, other than cryptocurrencies, are taking advantage of blockchain to enhance their operations.

How are Cloud Computing & IoT Related?

Cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) are two very closely-related internet technologies that complement each other. The convergence of these two distinct technologies has derived numerous benefits, including better infrastructure, enhanced performance, and increased scalability.

Cloud computing and IoT have a complementary relationship and work best as inseparable cohorts. Cloud-based IoT allows for smart usage of information, applications, and infrastructure cost-effectively. But to understand the relationship between IoT and cloud computing, we’ll need to look at each technology separately.

What’s IoT

IoT is an ecosystem of connected devices that are accessible through the internet. With an estimated 50 billion devices connected to the internet by 2020 – and more than 75 billion projected to be in use by 2025 globally – IoT is a top consideration for forward-thinking enterprises.

IoT features different components, including:

The devices are fitted with actuators and sensors that gather data from the environment and transfer it to the gateway for pre-processing. The gateway serves a security level for the network and transmitted data. Once the data is collected, it is sent to the cloud, which is often a set of serves linked to the internet 24/7. The information then undergoes processing and becomes available through different user interfaces.

IoT bases its model in smart devices which intercommunicate in a dynamic infrastructure and global network. It facilitates ubiquitous computing scenarios. The Internet of Things is characterized by widespread devices with limited storage and processing abilities. These devices are prone to issues regarding privacy, reliability, performance and security.

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What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is an on-demand delivery of computing power, applications, database storage, and IT resources. It allows companies to use computing resources, like a virtual machine, rather than deploying a computing infrastructure in-house.

Cloud computing is characterized by aspects like:

Cloud computing comprises an extensive network with unlimited computational power and storage abilities. It offers a flexible and robust environment that facilitates data integration from different data sources. Cloud computing has the potential to resolve almost all IoT issues.  

Cloud computing has four types of deployment models: Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, and Community Cloud. Since businesses have varied needs, they may have to choose a cloud computing service that fits their preferences. Examples of these services include Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

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A closer look at the relationship between cloud computing and IoT

The Internet of Things (devices, machines, and sensors) produces extensive quantities of data per second. And as we discussed, cloud computing helps in the analysis and management of this data so that companies can reap the most benefit out of their IoT infrastructure. The goal of IoT is to connect and enable communication between people, processes, and things. Cloud computing facilitates this collaboration to create greater visibility.

The fundamental idea behind cloud computing and IoT is to optimize the daily tasks, without affecting the quality of data stored or exchanged. Since the relationship is symbiotic, the two complement each other successfully. The IoT becomes the source of information, while the cloud becomes the destination for the data to be stored.

Cloud computing, with its vast models and implementation platforms, allow enterprises to analyze and manage data, improving overall efficiency and working of the IoT system. It also allows data storage and transfer through the internet or with a direct link that facilitates uninterrupted data transfer between applications, devices, and cloud.

This explains why almost most companies (96%) use cloud computing in one way or another. And with the rise of cloud platforms like Google Cloud Platform, IBM Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services, we can only expect to see a surge in the uptake of IoT solutions. Experts believe that we’ll see lots of growth in cloud services for devices in the coming years, much of it from Google, AWS, and Microsoft, along with purpose-built clouds that device makers may share or use exclusively.

A successful partnership between IoT and cloud computing

IoT is powered by the cloud, meaning that the collection of sensor-enabled devices depends on the strength of specific cloud computing techniques to thrive. This need makes IoT a critical element in the adoption and growth of cloud infrastructure, and vice versa. Companies need to employ a cloud strategy that enables them to support IoT development if they want to leverage the new applications that will be created and delivered through cloud-based platforms.

How cloud computing augments the growth IoT 

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Increases efficiencies

One of the main ways cloud computing complements IoT initiatives is by increasing efficiencies in daily tasks. IoT generates large amounts of data, and the cloud offers a pathway for this data to travel.

Data storage

Data storage in the cloud allows IoT enterprises to adapt quickly and distribute resources in different areas. And with the emergence of big data, the cloud is now an appealing option for many companies.

Providing infrastructure

Integration of IoT and cloud enables public cloud services to grant third-parties the power to access infrastructure. This, in turn, helps IoT data or computational modules running over different devices.

Augmented performance

Big data generated by extensive IoT devices need robust performance to interact and connect with other devices quickly. The integration of IoT and cloud can offer connectivity that’s vital to share data between devices and obtain quick meaning from it.

Enhanced scalability

IoT devices need plenty of storage to share data for critical reasons. Cloud services like IBM Watson, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, etc. are some of the IoT-based cloud systems that provide consumers with greater storage that can be increased or decreased accordingly.

Remote computing power

Thanks to this technology, enterprises can expand their infrastructure and network without deploying extensive hardware. And with faster networking technologies like the 5G, teams can now accelerate the creation of real-time applications and access remote cloud computing services with a few clicks.

Pay-as-you-go

Pay as you go (PAYG) is a cloud computing payment method that enables consumers to pay for the data they store. The PAYG model allows businesses to expand their usage according to need. They also won’t have to spend money to buy provision servers or other infrastructure, thus saving on cost.

Conclusion

IoT devices generate a massive amount of data, putting a strain on internet infrastructure. Cloud computing comes in to help store, process, and transfer data in the cloud rather than connected devices. IoT and cloud computing technologies are closely associated, and when combined, can deliver powerful innovation that will continue to change the way we interact with our devices, with each other as well as how we store, manage and consume information.

10 New Medical Technologies for 2020

The medical industry has grappled with inefficient processes, rising healthcare costs, poor quality of care, poor healthcare access and lack of patient-specific treatment for far too long. But the consistent advances in medical technologies have created huge shifts in the way solutions are rendered.

Today, physicians are able to diagnose and treat patients better. Patients, on the other hand, can access quality, affordable and timely care, sometimes, from the comfort of their own homes.

According to industry analysts, increased accessibility of care is one of the most tangible ways medical technology has changed healthcare. But still, areas like patient care, research, education, and disease control are also seeing massive transformation, thanks to technology.

Healthcare is ever-changing and we expect to see further evolutions in the coming years. But here are 10 new medical technologies for 2020.

1. 5G capability 

5G is a new medical technology trend that’s set to transform medicine and healthcare delivery. Although still in its infancy, 5G is set to transform the healthcare sector by boosting capacity and speed while reducing latency. 5G networks will facilitate telemedicine initiatives, support remote patient monitoring tools, transmit large medical images, and enable more sophisticated uses of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. Additionally, it will allow for faster communication and downloads on smartphones and tablets used in healthcare settings. Ericsson predicts a $76 billion revenue opportunity in 2026 for those addressing healthcare changes with 5G networks.

2. 3D printing

3D printing is a way of converting virtual 3D models into real-time 3D objects. This medical technology is widely used in the manufacturing of medical devices like prosthetic limbs, orthopedic and dental implants, medicine educational models, and surgical instruments. Additionally, 3D bioprinting is used to develop personalized and precision pharmaceuticals as well as living human tissue or cells for use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Patient-specific 3D printed models are becoming increasingly useful in today’s practice of customized treatments and precision medicine – which explains its uptake. The healthcare 3D printing market is estimated to surpass the $5.5billion mark by 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.5% within that time.

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3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI-powered medical technologies are quickly transforming into applicable solutions in the healthcare sector. Deep learning algorithms can handle the increasing amounts of data delivered by smartphones, implants, wearable devices, and other mobile tracking sensors in vast areas of medicine. At the moment, experts are using AI to detect epilepsy seizures, atrial fibrillation, hypoglycemia, as well as diagnose diseases based on medical imaging or histopathological tests. AI and machine learning will play an even bigger role in the coming years, helping healthcare experts with everything from note-taking to oncology screenings. In fact, it is projected to grow from $4.9 billion to 45.2 billion from 2020-2026 at a CAGR of 44.9%.

4. Surgical Robots

Surgical robots are computer-controlled, self-powered devices that can be programed to help in the manipulation and positioning of surgical instruments. Surgeons use robotic surgery because it offers greater visualization and precision. It gives them better flexibility, control, and accuracy. Unlike traditional surgery with incisions, robotic surgery allows for shorter hospitalization, minimal scarring, reduced pain and discomfort, and faster recovery times. In 2019, the surgical robot market was valued at $4.97 billion, but it’s projected to record a CAGR of 21.9% from 2020-2025 (forecast period).

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5. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in healthcare

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in the healthcare market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 30.2% over the period 2018-2023, according to a new Market Research Future report. These new medical technologies for 2020 offer feasible solutions to many challenges in the healthcare industry, including patient diagnosis, medical student training, surgery assistance, and body mapping. AR & VR are broadly used to improve surgical processes, treat neurological and psychiatric conditions, and also as part of hospice care.

6. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)

IoMT is a group of medical devices and applications connected to healthcare IT systems through online computer networks. The medical devices “things,” which are internet-enabled, allow machine-to-machine communication, that’s the basis of IoMT technology. In 2016, IoMT revenues amounted to $24 billion globally, with the number estimated to rise to over $135 billion by 2025. IoMT not only makes patient care personalized and cost-effective, it also decreases hospital admissions since medical professionals can monitor and even treat patients remotely. The rise of implantable and wearable devices in healthcare has made preventative care accessible to patients around the globe. Please check this website to learn more about IoT.

7. Cloud computing 

The cloud provides on-demand computing by leveraging cutting-edge technology to access, deploy, and use network data, resources, and applications. The broad adoption of cloud computing in the medical sector goes beyond storing data in the cloud. Healthcare professionals are now using this medical technology to optimize workflows, gain efficiencies, offer customized solutions, and lower the cost associated with service delivery. Driven by the increasing adoption of IoT and big data analytics, research shows that the industry is expected to reach $35.0 billion by 2022.

8. Telemedicine

Telemedicine involves the use of digital data and communication technologies like smartphones, wearables, and computers to access healthcare solutions remotely and manage health conditions. This medical technology is widely embraced for a range of reasons, including making health care accessible in remote areas and making services more convenient and readily available for those with limited time, mobility, or transport options. M-health also improves communication and coordination of care among doctors and patients and offers support for self-management of healthcare. According to the Market Research Future analysis, the global telemedicine market is estimated to reach $16.17 billion, with a 22.74% CAGR from 2017-2024.

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9. Chatbots

Chatbots have become prevalent in recent years, mostly because of dramatic technological advances in machine learning and natural language processing. Today’s bots are more responsive, smarter, and more useful, and the best is yet to come. Chatbots mimic spoken or written human speech to simulate interaction or conversation with a real person. These powerful tools can take care of client engagement, lead generation, dispatching information on drugs and medications, and even help with medical equipment. In the face of the Coronavirus, chatbots have been a natural choice for disseminating critical health information to vast populations.

10. Predictive analytics

Predictive analytics is a medical technology that uses past data to make future predictions, customizing patient care. An experienced medical expert can use a person’s demographic, recent medical history, and behaviors to predict the future. For instance, they can identify patients with an increased risk of developing a condition and address the precursors before it’s late. The predictive model also allows providers to react quickly to changes in the patient’s vital and detect deterioration at an early stage before the symptoms are apparent. The global predictive analytics market was worth $2.2 billion in 2018 and is estimated to reach $8.46 billion by 2025 at a CAGR of 21.2%, according to Allied Market Research.

How Virtual Reality is Changing Medicine

Virtual reality (VR) is an area with fascinating possibilities. It's not only making impact in the science-fiction world, but in other industries as well, including healthcare.

Virtual reality technology is playing an increasingly larger role in the healthcare industry. It is changing the way surgeons plan for complex operations. It’s also transforming how medical students learn and patients experience healthcare.

Imagine an elderly patient from a remote town consulting with a world-class medical provider without having to leave their home. A surgical resident practicing surgery in a virtual setting without being in a medical facility. A football player recovering from pain through mind-calming videos. Or a nurse using a vein finder to insert IV on the first try. All these are happening right in front of our eyes, thanks to virtual reality.

Virtual reality models allow patients, surgeons, and their families to see inside the anatomy of the patient. This gives the patient a better understanding of their condition and enables them to make an informed medical decision. It also helps healthcare providers to come up with detailed surgical plans and share those models so that other caregivers can learn these complex procedures.

Let's look at how virtual reality is changing medicine.

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Planning for complex operations

Surgeons and their teams are using VR to plan sophisticated procedures. Initially, they had to piece together a series of 2D images to understand the complex anatomy of the patient or communicate the preoperative plan. But thanks to VR, the medical professionals can now intuitively view, interpret and dissect 3D images of patient-specific anatomy. They can also interact with virtual tissues of a patient and form transections in any plane for better measurements and visualization using a pointing device.

Surgeons use images from ultrasound, CT and MRI scans to create a super-detailed virtual model of the patient's body, and then venture "inside" the tissues or organs to detect potential bottlenecks and plan how these would be avoided during the actual surgery. The 3D aspect of the imagery eases doctors' planning and enhances the accuracy of the operation, to deliver safer procedures. According to Gary Steinberg, professor and chair of neurosurgery at Stanford, VR technology gives much, much more detail than any other technology.

Virtual reality allowed doctors at the Stanford Neurosurgical Simulation Lab to execute a successful brain surgery on a patient with an aneurysm. Before the operation, surgeons were allowed to practice on images from the patient (instead of a generic brain) and lay out a plan upfront. "With the images, we can figure out how to approach the tumor and avoid critical parts like the sensory areas or motor cortex," stated Steinberg. Stanford Medicine doctors apply this technology for the spinal cord and brain surgeries because these organs are stable and lend themselves to imagery.

VR technology also played a crucial part in the successful surgery of conjoined twins at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. The doctors used VR to simulate operation to separate the three-months-old twins. They used software to convert CT and MRI images of the infants to create a 3D model. After putting on the VR glasses to explore the virtual model, the doctors realized a new connective tissue joining the twin's intertwined hearts. They also discovered all the potential risks that would arise by cutting the connection. The doctors used a "track system" in the 3D model of the hearts that allowed them to rotate the twin's heads without distorting the image. It's the ease of movement that helped them identify the solution.

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Medical education and training through VR

The volume and quality of clinical evidence in modern medicine are abundant. However, the delivery channels – including traditional print publications, low-quality user-generated videos, and antiquated websites – remain outdated. For the last decades, medical education has been embracing a new way of learning - virtual reality and streaming media. This not only makes learning interactive and fun but also accessible and scalable.

The 360-degree VR offers an immersive medical education experience. It creates an authentic operating room environment for medical students who are learning new technologies and techniques like robotics and advanced laparoscopy. With different camera angles, including 360-degree panoramic views of OR, surgeon POV and digital overlays that showcase the surgical procedure, learners can experience an authentic operation room environment irrespective of their location.

VR is taking the learning experience to a whole new level. Imagine medical students being able to practice open-heart surgery without the risk of hurting the patient. Again, they can do this while at the medical school, or in the comfort of their own house or office. The training opportunities are limited for students. In fact, first-time surgeons did an operation on a cadaver once before the real procedure, after which a patient's safety was entirely in their hands. But now, they can practice multiple times to perfect their skills. Although the technology won't replace hands-on training, it is a strong tool to complement existing learning.

Another good example of VR in medical training is the "Visible Human" by the Center for Human Simulation (CHS). The synthesis led to a 3D high-resolution database of human anatomy as derived from direct analysis of radiological imaging and anatomical specimens. CHS seeks to facilitate the collaboration of radiologists, anatomists, engineers, educators, physicians, and computer scientists to promote the application of this and other anatomical data to teaching, clinical practice, and research.

VR is a perfect tool for healthcare simulation situational awareness training as it engages different learning areas in the brain in synchrony. The ability to understand how actions, events, and information influence the current and future circumstances is essential in medical settings.

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Virtual Reality to enhance the patient experience 

A survey revealed that patients expect better physician-patient consultation. In the survey, 90% of participants wanted an elaborate sheet from the doctor, explaining their condition and ways to manage it. 70% think GPs can leverage mobile technology, digital tools, and the internet to enhance their experience. From this survey, it is clear that today's patients value technology and are more demanding when it comes to information delivery.

Virtual reality, along with augmented reality, is helping healthcare professionals to expand their expertise through 3D imaging. Traditional MRI and X-ray images, though revolutionary for their time, only offer 2D models. 3D imaging gives the surgeon a 360 view of a patient's organ, allowing them to make better decisions on treatment techniques and also better educate patients about their condition and treatment options.

Doctors are now using immersive experiences to enhance patient experiences. Immersive experience means involving a complete range of the auditory and visual senses. As the term implies, the patient is fully plunged into an alternate environment where they can turn around, look in all directions, and watch as though they were standing there, with a complete view of the world. VR can take the patient's mind away from the hospital room to a whole new present state. That's why it's widely used for fear anxiety and pain relief.

Research shows that VR, among other immersive technologies, can distract and calm patients, reducing the pain sensation. Virtual reality seems to be effective in pain relief, irrespective of the type of pain. A study performed by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, LA, revealed a 24% drop in pain scores after using VR goggles to watch calming content.

Are COVID Antibody Test Kits Worth It?

Medical diagnostic companies are racing to produce antibody testing kits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments, on the other hand, are looking to order these antibody tests kits by millions.

The challenge that national regulators and governments are facing is to strike a balance between the urgency and the day-to-day specificity and sensitivity concerns that apply to any new medical diagnostic. There are still some concerns around optimizing test design, mainly hinging on understanding the virus' behavior and neutralizing it. Yet, there's an underlying rush to limit the economic impact, to reopen borders and to resume to normal routines.

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Some national regulators like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have already issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) that allows companies to start selling testing kits right away. At the moment, the FDA has approved 25 antibody tests. Health Canada has approved only one antibody test.

Antibody (serology) testing

Following the relaxation of standard assessment criteria by the regulatory bodies, companies are now rushing to produce antibody testing kits to meet the demand. The antibody test kits can be used for a range of reasons, including:

Antibodies are proteins that help fight off infections and can offer protection against recurrence (immunity). The serological test kits tests people's blood for Coronavirus antibodies to check whether they have already healed from the virus and if they may have developed immunity to COVID-19.

Matt Hancock, UK health secretary, on March 24, told the daily press conference that his government had purchased 3.5 million tests that would allow individuals to check if they had the virus and had since developed immunity to it so that they could get back to work. However, these China-made kits were deemed not fit for widespread use. The UK government, on May 14, approved the use of 100% accurate antibody tests, which were produced by Roche, a Swiss company.

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The accuracy of COVID antibody test kits

The accuracy of COVID antibody test kits depends on a range of factors, including the duration between the onset of infection and test execution, types of antibody being assessed, and antigen specificity. Since the immune system often begins to produce antibodies within 1 to 3 weeks of a person being exposed to the virus, doing a test soon after exposure may not detect antibodies in the blood. As such, there are higher chances of getting false-negative or false-positive results.

Another factor that may affect the accuracy of the test result is cross-reactivity. Antibody tests meant explicitly for the novel Coronavirus can cross-react with related viruses like MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and common Coronavirus and therefore give false negative or positive results.

The positive and negative predictive values are computed using a test's specificity, its sensitivity, as well as the assumption about the percentage of people in the population who have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. However, those interpreting results need also to consider details like diagnostic test results and clinical history to avoid false results.

So, this leads us to the big question, are COVID antibody test kits worth it?

Reasons why Coronavirus antibody tests are worth the investment

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Demonstrated specificity and sensitivity

Most kits that are approved by the regulatory bodies claim to have 98-100% specificity and sensitivity. 100% specificity means that the test won't confuse other antibodies for those specific to SARS-CoV-2. 99% sensitivity, on the other hand, means that when the kit examines 100 blood samples containing the antibodies, it will detect the antibodies 99% of the time. The Roche kits, for instance, claim 100% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity.

Can help identify potential antibody donors

As we mentioned earlier on, one of the most important current use of COVID antibody test kits – en masse – is to help identify the part of the population that's been exposed previously to the virus, irrespective of whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic. The test also shows those who have developed herd immunity after infection. This group could be a potential convalescent donor. Convalescent plasma is where blood plasma from patients who have had previous infections is artificially transferred to naïve patients to induce passive immunity.

But still, experts say that people shouldn't change any social distancing or other safety practices based on their serological test results because it's not sure whether these antibodies confer immunity or if they're likely to change clinical management. Later on, when vaccines are available, serology testing will facilitate the tracking of the immune response of those who are part of clinical trials.

People can go back to work

Experts argue that immunity-based licenses are great because they would free up those who've already contracted the disease without worsening the situation for those who haven't. Licenses are a less restrictive alternative. The current liberty-limiting measures on travel, work, and gatherings are justified because COVID-19 positive individuals may infect others, causing more deaths, illnesses, and strain on hospitals. However, these measures aren't justified when applied to those who carry little to no risk of infection.

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Quick results

A widely available test that delivers results in minutes would drastically change the world's strategy for dealing with COVID-19 as well as the way people live. People would be able to go back to work sooner if they are aware of their infection status. In a nutshell, using the COVID-19 antibody kits involves:

Curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus

When more Coronavirus diagnostic tests are available, those who test positive can get early care, especially if it's symptomatic. Besides, their contacts can be traced and placed in quarantine or self-isolation to prevent further spread. COVID antibody kits make contact tracing easier, which is a big plus to preventing further spread of the virus.