The Limburg hospitals want to get corona patients safely out of isolation faster.
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To achieve this, Maastricht UMC+ will conduct research into the contagiousness of COVID-19 patients together with the Zuyderland Medical Center.
PCR-test
Currently, patients must have a negative PCR test result two days in a row before they are released from isolation
can. “While we know that – even with a positive result – they no longer have to be contagious,” says Mathie Leers, clinical chemist-haematologist in Zuyderland. “The test shows the presence of the coronavirus, but does not distinguish whether that virus is dead or alive,” says Leers.
CoLab-score
According to him, it can also be different. “With a blood test, we can measure the patient’s response to the cornavirus.” The hospitals expect to have an excellent method in house with this so-called CoLab score. The score is determined on the basis of blood results and is an alternative to the well-known PCR test.
Around the clock
The blood tests are beneficial, according to Leers. They are available around the clock and have virtually no additional cost. This is because ten standard laboratory results are used. This method of testing can shorten the isolation of a corona patient. That’s a big improvement. Isolation is often accompanied by physical and psychological strain for both patients and employees.
Virus deletjes
For the research of the MUMC+ and Zuyderland, the blood values and test results of 500 former patients are analysed. In addition, the CoLab score of 90 future patients is determined daily within the study and compared with the standard PCR test and a new PCR test that can exclude the presence of infectious virus particles.
The researchers hope to be able to collect the results within one year. “There is a possibility that research shows that the CoLab score can also be applied to other infectious diseases,” says Leers.
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