The science
This Rapid Test for Sars-CoV-2 (COVID-19) diagnosis is intended to qualitatively detect both IgG (late marker) and IgM (early marker) antibodies from human serum, whole blood, or plasma in approximately 10-15 minutes. If detected, those proteins indicate that a person’s immune system has responded to infection with the COVID-19 virus.
IgM and IgG are immunoglobulins produced by the immune system to provide protection against SARS-CoV-2. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG can therefore be detected in samples from affected patients.
IgM antibodies are generated initially by the body because of infection at about the time symptoms appear. IgM will dissipate within approximately one month. IgG antibodies are generated by the body about one week after symptoms appear and last for an extended amount of time.
This test was further validated by an independent Swedish group and published recently.