COVID-19 Pandemic

Since December 2019, when the first cases of pneumonia of unknown cause were reported in China, the COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic is the worldwide dominant concern. Beside the loss of >2.7 million of lives reported to end of March 2021, the pandemic has been responsible for several economic and social shutdowns in many countries around the globe and is a major daily burden for everyone´s life.

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) is the responsible virus, causing a broad range of mild to moderate symptoms (fever, dry cough, loss of smell and taste, fatigue) while other cases become severe (pneumonia) or critical (acute respiratory distress syndrome) and may be fatal. 

^{Source: WHO website, accessed 21 April 2021 https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019}

Omega’s Contribution to Fight the Pandemic 

Omega is fully committed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic with multifaceted approaches.

Diagnostic testing is an essential part of fighting the pandemic

Viral proteins (antigens) can be detected by antigen rapid tests and are used as an aid to diagnose active SARS-CoV-2, i.e. normally at the peak of infection showing the highest viral loads. 

Antibodies are part of the adaptive immunity and are produced in response to viral infection. Their role is to block viral entry and neutralise the virus. Antibodies are an indicator of a recent or prior SARS-COV-2 infection and adaptive immunity.

Diagnostic gaps can be closed by combining antigen and antibody tests and conclusions about active and past infections of individuals can be drawn. By using both antigen and antibody tests most SARS-CoV-2 cases can be found, the transmission actively reduced, and the pandemic better controlled. 

The symptomatic phase is representative for mild to moderate infections. *The duration of potential immunity is under investigation.

Nasal/throat swab collection for VISITECT^® COVID-19 Antigen     Blood collection for measurement of IgG antibodies

The graph has been developed based on:

1. Matricardi PM et al. The first, holistic immunological model of COVID-19: Implications for prevention, diagnosis, and public health measures. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2020. doi:10.1111/pai.13271. 

2. Azkur AK et al. Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and mechanisms of immunopathological changes in COVID-19 [published online ahead of print, 2020 May 12]. Allergy. 2020. doi:10.1111/all.14364.

3.     Antigen-detection in the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection using rapid immunoassays. Interim guidance – 11 September 2020. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020.