The
Health Services Authority continues to lead the COVID-19 response as
part of the Government’s national recovery plan with the further
expansion of testing capabilities to include antibody testing and
enhanced PCR capabilities with the new GeneXpert machine.

The
GeneXpert machine will allow a faster turnaround time for the PCR
testing of clinically urgent cases with results being available in
just 45 minutes. This quicker turnaround time will be crucial for
patients requiring urgent medical treatment for non COVID related
illnesses.

“The
introduction of the new GeneXpert machine will allow us to keep
medically urgent tests separate from routine screening samples. The
quick turnaround time is also vital for patients needing emergency
treatment or emergency transfer abroad.” Dr Delroy Jefferson,
Medical Director, Health Services Authority.

In
addition to this, the HSA lab will now also be adding IgG antibody
testing to its testing portfolio to better understand the effects of
COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands.

“While
the PCR method is currently the most accurate test available for
active COVID-19 disease, the test does not identify whether someone
has previously been infected with the virus. To answer this, the HSA
will begin rolling out antibody testing this week as part of Public
Health monitoring”. Dr
Delroy Jefferson, Medical Director, Health Services Authority.

The
antibody test can detect IgG responses in the blood indicating that
the body has mounted an immune attack against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The presence of these antibodies can also indicate if a person has
previously been infected with COVID-19.

HSA
will be performing the antibody testing using the SARS-CoV-2 assay,
developed by Abbott Laboratories and approved by Public Health
England.

“The
availability of antibody testing allows us to double our efforts for
COVID-19 screening and give us a holistic view of the impact of
COVID-19 in our community. Both PCR and antibody testing provide
different functions in relation to COVID-19 so being able to use both
tests simultaneously greatly enhances our efforts. However, it is
important to note that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody does not
necessarily mean that you are immune to COVID-19 and normal
precautions to protect yourself from the virus should remain in
place.” Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Medical Officer for Health.

Antibody
testing will commence this week and will prioritise healthcare
workers and individuals who previously tested positive for COVID-19
before being subject to a screening program being planned by Public
Health.

“Antibody
testing for the public will be rolled out to the wider public in a
similar manner to the PCR screening program. Testing will be
conducted across sample sized groups that will be nationally
representative and give us a good indication on the level of
infection in our community. The HSA will contact these sample groups
for testing over the coming weeks”. Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez,
Medical Officer for Health.

The
Health Services Authority forensic lab was the first to introduce PCR
testing in March 2020 to detect the presence of COVID-19. The lab
currently averages 2000 tests per week and to date has tested 13,011
contributing to 84% of the national recovery plan in the Cayman
Islands.

“Our laboratory and forensic teams have played an extraordinary role in the response to COVID-19. The expansion of our testing capabilities is a result of their hard work, dedication, and ability to continually improve our processes and knowledge of COVID-19. The GeneXpert machine and associated PCR cartridges were donated by the UK Government through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, following organisation by Public Health England. As always, we are grateful for their continued support and generosity”. Lizzette Yearwood, CEO, Health Services Authority.

About IGG Antibody Testing

• Antibody
  testing, also known as serology tests detects antibodies in the
  blood caused by an immune response to SARS-CoV-2 virus
  
• Antibodies
  start to develop in most patients 7-10 days after symptoms of
  COVID-19 begin and remain in the blood after the infection has
  passed.
  
• Antibody
  tests of this kind involve a blood draw which can provide a result
  in 24-48 hours
  
• The
  presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is not a guarantee of immunity
  from future infections.