1. Registration
Registration in our web portal. Order of 50 or more barcoded CeGaT tubes.
About the Corona Antibody Test
The antibody test determines whether a person has produced antibodies against the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). People who have antibodies are assumed to have undergone a coronavirus infection and are highly likely to be immune.
During an infection, the body produces antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen as an immune response. Two to three weeks after the infection, the so-called IgG antibodies can be detected in the blood.
Past diseases can thus be detected – even those that have been asymptotic and remained unnoticed. It is assumed that the number of actual infections is significantly higher than the number of reported infections. Thus, the antibody test is also relevant from an epidemiological perspective. Large-scale studies provide information about which parts of the total population have already overcome the disease, which helps to contain the pandemic.
The ELISA test we use is CE marked. It detects only IgG antibodies against the S1 domain (RBD) of the spike protein. This approach has the best possible specificity for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
Price: EUR 25,-
If you have any questions, please contact us by e-mail at corona@cegat.de or by phone at 00497071 56544-20.
Ordering the Corona Antibody Test
Please register to our web portal. The required sample material is blood (serum).
Only the already barcoded blood collection tubes from CeGaT are accepted for the test.
These tubes are available free of charge and can be ordered via our web portal. Orders of 50 or more CeGaT tubes only.
Due to very high demand, there have been shipping delays of our test kits. We have increased our capacities accordingly and are making every effort to ship the ordered sample tubes promptly. We ask for your understanding that there may be slight delays at present.
Please note:
- In most cases, the blood sample cannot be taken by oneself.
- CeGaT offers a blood collection service on its premises in Tübingen. In this case, the tubes do not have to be ordered in advance. Blood collection at CeGaT is available Mon-Fri from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, no appointment necessary.
- Blood collection must be done by qualified medical personnel, such as your family physician. Before ordering the CeGaT tubes, please ask your physician to help you with blood collection for our test. Important: In this case, you or your physician must order the CeGaT tubes in advance.
Taking blood samples free of charge at CeGaT in Tübingen
As an alternative to taking blood at your doctor’s office, you can go to the blood collection point on the premises of CeGaT. In this case, we will carry out the registration on-site. You will receive your findings by mail a few days later. Blood collection is possible on Mon-Fri from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm, no appointment necessary.
Blood collection points in your area
Easy access to our test is our main concern. More blood collection points are listed below.
Please note: CeGaT is not responsible for operating the following blood collection points. If you have further questions regarding the process, please contact the local operator.
Reutlingen
Operator:
CORONA-AKT UG
Address:
City Hotel Fortuna Reutlingen
Am Echazufer 22
72764 Reutlingen
Phone:
+49 160 96876632
Opening hours Reutlingen:
Monday – Saturday
8:00 am- 8:00 pm
No appointment necessary. Optionally, it is possible to book a time slot here: www.corona-akt.com/termin.
Price Reutlingen:
EUR 35,- incl. blood collection (EUR 25,- corona antibodytest + EUR 10,- blood collection)
Stuttgart
Operator:
Antikörpertest Stuttgart (an initiative of WeWant GmbH)
Address:
Corona Antikörper Testzentrum
Büchsenstraße 20
70174 Stuttgart
Phone:
0711-230800200
Opening hours Stuttgart:
Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Companies and groups of 15 people or more are kindly asked to make an appointment by phone: https://www.antikoerpertest-stuttgart.com/kontakt/
Price Stuttgart:
EUR 45,- incl. blood collection (EUR 25,- corona antibodytest + EUR 20,- blood collection)
Procedure of the Corona Antibody Test
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Information about our blood collection tubes
The CeGaT tube for blood collection is the Sarstedt S-Monovette® 4.9 ml (04.1934) – see image below. A cannula such as the Safety Multifly® for S-Monovette® (85.1638.235) is suitable for this tube.
Please note that we do not include cannulas in the kits to prevent untrained people from taking blood.
Statistics
As of June 01, 2020
The following evaluation covers the 3 weeks from Monday, May 11th, 2020 to Friday, May 29nd, 2020.
This evaluation is updated every week with the data from the previous week.
The next update will be published here on June 9nd, 2020.
This high rate of positively tested people is in line with our expectations, since especially people with past unclear symptoms or past trips in risky areas are motivated to have an antibody test carried out (positive selection). Many of the people who come to us for blood tests report precisely this motivation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be tested?
The test can be done regardless of age and sex.
When can I take the test?
In principle, the test can be performed at any time and can be repeated.
The test involves the detection of IgG antibodies. These are formed after contact with the virus and are usually detectable in the blood after 14 days. We, therefore, recommend that the test is performed at the earliest 2 to 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms. If you have had no symptoms, a test may still be useful, as COVID-19 disease can also occur without symptoms.
What is the price for the test?
For national customers: The price for the test is EUR 25,-. Costs for the blood collection may be added. The blood collection at CeGaT is free of charge. Please note that the medical report delivered will be in German.
For international customers: Please note that we currently can only accept international orders of 50 test kits or more.
Where can I get blood drawn?
Important: Only barcoded sample tubes ordered from CeGaT can be used. Other tubes cannot be used and will be discarded.
Private individuals can contact their family doctor for blood collection. CeGaT also offers a blood collection service on its premises (Mon-Fri from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, no appointment necessary). For companies we offer a mobile blood collection service for their employees.
How long does the test take, and how do I get the result?
The test takes 1 to 3 days from sample receipt. You will receive the results by mail.
Do I have to provide a blood sample?
Yes, the antibody test checks for antibodies in the blood of the person to be tested. Therefore a blood sample is mandatory.
What does the test result say?
Persons with antibodies are presumed to have had a corona infection and are very likely to be immune.
Where can I order the test?
The test is processed via our web portal (the address will be announced and linked on this page on May 11). After a one-time registration the desired amount of tests can be ordered there. The test kit with the equipment for preparing the test will be sent to you. It contains the CeGaT tube required for the blood collection as well as instructions for the further procedure.
Does health insurance cover the costs?
For persons under German health insureance: At present, testing for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is not a service covered by public health insurance.
For privately insured persons, it may be possible to submit the invoice to the respective insurance company. Please speak to your insurance company about this. Please note that it is not possible to issue an invoice according to GoÄ.
What are the risks?
There is the usual, very low risk associated with a blood draw.
Can the test result be wrong?
In rare cases, a false test result may occur. When choosing the test, we have taken care to use the test with the highest reliability.
What is the payment procedure?
For national customers (Germany): When the test result is sent, the invoice will be mailed to you separately.
For international customers: After ordering the test kits, you will receive an advance invoice. The test kits will be shipped after payment.
Does a positive result imply that I should be quarantined?
No. The test should only be carried out on people who are healthy at the time of the test, and at the earliest 2 weeks after symptoms of a possible corona infection have subsided (fever, dry cough, etc.). If the result of the antibody test is then positive, specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 have been detected in your sample. This means that you have already overcome an infection with this virus and are most likely no longer infectious. Therefore, you do not automatically have to be quarantined, as it would be the case if an active infection was detected by a throat swab test.
Do I need an appointment for the blood collection at CeGaT?
No, an appointment is not necessary. Blood collection at CeGaT takes place Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm – you can come by without scheduling an appointment. However, in case of a high number of people interested in taking the tests, we may close the entrance from 5 pm to be able to draw blood from all queuing people by 6 pm.
For companies, we can offer a mobile blood collection service. If you are interested, please contact corona@cegat.de, stating the number of persons to be tested, your address and a telephone number.
Is the blood collection at CeGaT free of charge?
Yes, the blood collection at CeGaT is free of charge.
Can I eat and drink before the blood collection?
Yes, you may eat normally before the blood is drawn. The blood sample does not have to be taken on an empty stomach.
How long is the data stored in the web portal and when is it deleted?
In the web portal, your results are available for 3 months and will afterwards be deleted.
If the test result is positive, is there some kind of certificate for submission to authorities, hotels, etc. or when travelling abroad?
You will receive a medical report showing your result. Please ask the respective authorities whether such a finding is accepted. There is currently no internationally standardized certificate.
What happens to the blood sample after the test?
The blood sample is disposed of immediately after the analysis and is not used for any other purpose. It is only examined for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
Who gets to know the result of the test?
The result of the test will be known to three parties:
- CeGaT as the laboratory that conducts the test
- the customer who holds the portal account and can view the results of the samples he has sent in
- (if differing:) the patient whose blood was examined and who receives a printed report by mail.
All data are stored in Germany. You will find the data protection declaration for the corona test on the portal (at the very bottom) and here: https://www.cegat.de/datenschutz-corona/
What is the current state of knowledge regarding immunity after a past disease?
The chances of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 after recovery from COVID-19 are very high.
Current studies on immunity after past disease (as of May 27, 2020)
According to a study conducted at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York on more than 1,300 recovered COVID-19 patients, over 99% of them have produced IgG antibodies. The number of antibodies produced was independent of age, sex, and severity of the disease. The ELISA test used also detects antibodies against the spike protein, which is our test’s target antigen. (https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.30.20085613v1).
With the help of this test, Mount Sinai Hospital also identified potential plasma donors, whose plasma can be used to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients. (https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.20.20102236v1.full.pdf+html)
Another case study also reports the positive effects of using these convalescent plasmas. (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2763983)
In a recent study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Cell, 13 of 14 patients that recovered from COVID-19 showed antibodies against the spike protein of the novel coronavirus. The sera of these 13 patients showed anti-viral effects in so-called neutralization assays. This type of cellular assay is considered to be proof that the patients’ antibodies can neutralize the novel coronavirus. (https://www.cell.com/immunity/pdf/S1074-7613(20)30181-3.pdf)
Studies at the French Institut Pasteur came to comparable results. From 160 previously positively tested clinic employees, antibodies against the spike protein could be detected in 159 persons after an average of 24 days. Also in this study, the function of the antibodies was checked in neutralization tests and confirmed in 98% of the samples. (https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.19.20101832v2.full.pdf)
First data of a clinical Phase I/II study for the development of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine shows a clear correlation between the production of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, their neutralizing effect, and the protection against new infections in NHPs. (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.17.046375v1.full.pdf).
Early reports from South Korea regarding the recurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection are currently investigated by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.So far (as of May 27, 2020), no cultivable virus could be isolated from any of the 108 swabs that were again PCR-positive (after interim negative PCR tests). Only virus fragments were detected by PCR. Of the 790 people who were in close contact with the patients, none was infected with SARS-CoV-2. (https://www.cdc.go.kr/board/board.es?mid=a30402000000&bid=0030)
As of today ( May 27, 2020), there is no case known to us in which a secondary infection has been proven by several valid test systems.
