Corona virus serological self-test kits were mailed to1,000 residents of the Swedish capital Stockholm over the Easter weekend by the Stockholm Royal Institute of Technology (Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan, KTH).
These are anonymous serological tests to random addresses in order to analyze how many residents of the Stockholm metropolitan (with 2.3 million inhabitants) have developed antibodies to COVID-19, and potentially gained immunity to the disease.
The project also aims to test how home testing for the novel corona virus could help authorities fight the pandemic without burdening the health system
The test requires a drop of blood.
Results will not be made available to participants as the samples are submitted anonymously.
The type of test card is one that Professor Roxhed and Professor Olof Beck at Karolinska Institutet developed together over the last eight years. Instead of a blotter, the technology uses a special microchannel, which autonomously stores a precise amount of the blood as a dried spot inside the card.
The test has been authorized by Sweden’s testing ethics authority. The researchers are limited to checking for the presence of antibodies for COVID-19 and other coronary-related parameters. The test kit contains all information, including a consent form.
It is unclear when the results will be available.