Health Bureau needs more time to decide on blood tests

More time is required before Macau considers using blood tests to detect the Covid-19 infection, according to Dr Leong Iek Hou from the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Center, who highlighted concerns about the ability to test a large number of people quickly, among others.
The Times reported yesterday that a medical doctor told a workshop that a blood test for Covid-19 was ready. Given its short turnaround time, it could replace swab tests, which are currently used widely in Macau, mainland China, and many other places across the world.
The news was first unveiled by local Chinese newspaper Macao Daily News. According to the original report in Chinese, Ng Chi Ho, director-general of the Macao Greater Bay Area Association of Healthcare Providers, said that there is a test capsule available for the current coronavirus.
When tests are conducted using this capsule, only a drop of blood from the patient is required. Another feature of the test is that results will be available in 10 minutes.
This is the first time this type of test has been revealed and discussed in the public arena.
The Covid-19 blood test is expected to help with triage and preliminary diagnosis. In addition, it can be performed at private clinics, Ng was reported as saying.
When the Times asked yesterday whether the Health Bureau would consider using the new test, Leong explained more data is required to make that decision. Nonetheless, she attempted to offer some explanations based on her medical background.
The medical doctor pointed out that normally blood tests check the antibody reaction of a person against viral infection, and it takes some time for that reaction to happen.
“Taking Dengue Fever as an example: it takes about three to five days from contraction before the antibody becomes detectable,” the medical doctor said. “Swab tests focus on the nucleic acid of the virus, which takes a shorter incubation period before it can become detectable.”
The ability to test a lot of people at one time is also a crucial factor in deciding whether to introduce the test to the market. Leong stated that although the blood test claims to be quick, if it can only test one person at one time, it will not be advantageous.
“Given that we aim at testing a maximum of more than 20,000 people per day, it’s an important concern,” Leong explained.
Another factor, which is related to the test viability, is the supply of the product. Being a new product, it needs to prove sufficient supply to the market, Leong explained.
However, the medical doctor did not dismiss the possibility of introducing the blood test. Authorities simply need more data for their decision-making, she said.
Blood tests have long been a reliable test method for other viral infections, such as HIV. A single drop of blood can return a HIV result within 20 minutes. Self-test kits for HIV have also recently become available in Macau.