The northern Italian region of Lombardy, at the epicentre of Europe's worst coronavirus outbreak, began an antibody testing programme on Thursday as it prepared to start opening up its economy following weeks of lockdown.
MILAN - The northern Italian region of Lombardy, at the epicentre of Europe’s worst coronavirus outbreak, began an antibody testing programme on Thursday as it prepared to start opening up its economy following weeks of lockdown.
They come as authorities around the world have begun to step up broad-based testing programmes they hope will give them a clearer picture of the spread of the virus, as they plan a gradual easing of lockdown measures that have kept much of the world’s population in confinement for weeks. A medical worker in a protective suit takes a blood sample from a woman to test for the coronavirus disease at a converted gym in Cisliano, near Milan, Italy, April 21, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo ScalzoLombardy, where the outbreak first emerged on Feb. 21, remains one of the worst affected regions in the world, accounting for around half of Italy’s 25,000 COVID-19 deaths.
“We had the doubt that those volunteers carrying out these services could have been, in some way, in contact with the virus and this worried us a lot. So we tried to give some answers.” Authorities had hoped antibody tests would allow them to issue so-called immunity certificates to let people with defences against the disease return to work.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Southern governors create a Covid-19 coalition and experts fear a 'perfect storm'Republican governors across the Southeast are teaming up to reopen the region’s economy, even as they lack the testing to know how rapidly the coronavirus is spreading
Read more »
Antibody tests could be key to reopening the country. Here's how they work.The entire coronavirus structure is known as an antigen, a foreign substance that engages the immune system.
Read more »
He traveled to a hospital to set up its new computer system. Three weeks later, he died there.IT manager Chad Capule traveled to a hospital to set up its new computer system. 3 weeks later, he died there.
Read more »
Chris Cuomo's Son Mario Tests Positive for CoronavirusChris Cuomo's young son Mario is the latest in the family to test positive for coronavirus.
Read more »
London Fashion Week moves onlineLondon Fashion Week will move online in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the British Fashion Council says.
Read more »
Companies give Yemen tens of thousands of test kits to ease shortageMultinational companies are donating tens of thousands of coronavirus test kits and medical equipment to Yemen.
Read more »