COVID-19 rapid antibody diagnosis test kits now available to superyacht crew

By Katia Damborsky 22 April 2020

A new rapid-response diagnosis test kit that detects active cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now becoming available to the shipping industry, including yacht crew, subject to the condition that the test administrator holds specific medical certification.

A test kit that detects active cases of COVID-19 through antibodies in the blood is now being introduced to the shipping industry, which includes crew living and working onboard superyachts.

The tests have an accuracy rate of between 97.8% and 99.6%, and they display a qualitative 'Yes' or 'No' result within 10 minutes.

The test cassettes are simple to use and are performed with a fingerprick blood sample.

The test is able to detect Coronavirus from the onset of infection even in asymptomatic cases, which is a huge benefit that will slow the spread of the virus until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed and distributed.

What do yacht crews need to administer the Coronavirus diagnosis tests?

The test is a registered IVD device and is CE marked for professional use.

It is not available to the general public, and it is only supplied to ships and superyachts subject to the condition that the test be administered by the holder of an in-date Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care at Sea.

This is a common certification required of superyacht crew at sea.

How do the COVID-19 diagnosis tests work?

The test works by identifying the body’s response to Coronavirus after the onset of infection and displays a clear and qualitative 'Yes' or 'No' result within 10 minutes.

The test identifies antibodies in the blood via a fingerprick sample, making the cassettes simple and straightforward to use with no specialist medical equipment.

The tests do not require the patient to visit a medical facility, and the samples do not need to be sent to a lab in order to obtain the results.

The test is able to detect Coronavirus even in asymptomatic cases (when the patient is displaying extremely mild or no symptoms).

What exactly is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by a new virus that belongs to the Human Coronavirus family. The official name for the virus is SARS-COV-2, and COVID-19 is the name of the disease caused by the virus.

There are currently seven groups of Human Coronavirus known to infect humans. SARS-COV-2 is the most recently discovered, and it belongs to the same virus family that caused SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012. Each virus affects humans differently, with different transmission rates and case fatality rates (CFR).

Coronavirus is a zoonotic virus, meaning the pathogen originated in animals and made the jump to humans through close contact between wild animals and people. This particular virus, SARS-COV-2, is thought to have originated at a live animal market in Wuhan, China. While its origins are still unclear, many researchers believe that the virus developed in bats, and mutated with a virus present in another wild animal such as a pangolin. This mutation allowed the virus to make the leap to human beings.

The COVID-19 pathogen spreads through water droplets and can be spread even when a patient is asymptomatic; i.e. when a patient is not displaying any symptoms. This means it is highly contagious, and unless quarantine, social distancing or other measures (such as face masks) are imposed, case numbers increase on an exponential curve, doubling every several days.

There is no vaccine for SARS-COV-2 yet, however, scientists around the globe are racing to produce a vaccination. Until then, it's likely that quarantine and other socially-disruptive measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of the mass population.

Once a vaccine becomes prevalent, we can eradicate SARS-COV-2.

What are the benefits of the COVID-19 test kits?

According to the manufacturing company, the benefits of the rapid diagnostic test kits are as follows;

Significant time and cost-saving when compared to lab testing
Results within 10 minutes
Identifies infection even in mild or asymptomatic cases
Screen anywhere
Easy to use with no specialist or medical equipment
Shelf life of 18 months from manufacture date
So far, tests have not interfered by the presence of other medications in the blood
Suitable to be tested on infants, toddlers, pregnant or breastfeeding women

However, the company states that since the test requires a blood sample, you should consult with your doctor or physician if you have a blood-related health condition such as haemophilia.

How accurate are the COVID-19 rapid response test kits?

In a clinical study conducted in Wuhan, China, the test was compared to conventional COVID-19 diagnosis laboratory tests which also detected the presence of IgG/IgM in 902 blood samples.

The results were as follows;

Sensitivity > 91%
Specificity > 99%
Accuracy > 97%

How will this impact yacht charter and Coronavirus?

These tests will be vital in slowing the spread of Coronavirus through early detection.

Until a COVID-19 vaccine is developed and dispersed globally, test kits like this one will be a crucial component of the worldwide lockdown exit strategy.

They will give peace of mind to those chartering superyachts - as the popularity of Social Distancing Yacht Charters increases, crew will be able to prove they have received a 'Negative' test result, and guests can rest assured they are in a safe and controlled environment at sea.

Until a vaccine becomes available, it's likely that all areas of travel will be affected by socially disruptive measures. Luckily for charterers, a private yacht charter is the ultimate Social Distancing Vacation; read our Yacht Charter and COVID-19 guide to learn more.

I am eligible to perform the COVID-19 tests. How do I obtain Coronavirus diagnosis test kits for yacht crew?

If you are a superyacht Owner and you believe your crew are able to administer these tests, you may be interested in finding out how to obtain the COVID-19 test kits for your crew.

If you are a member of superyacht crew and you believe you can perform these tests,

YachtCharterFleet is continually monitoring this rapidly-evolving situation. If you have any advice, updates or information about yachts and ports, please get in touch with us.