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COVID-19

Is the end of the pandemic in sight?

Assuming that SARS-CoV-2 is close to becoming endemic: Why will testing remain crucial for the time being?
Assessing where we stand with COVID-19.

6min
Andrea Lutz
Published on March 31, 2022

On average, COVID-19 has killed 99 people in Europe every hour since the pandemic began. Worldwide, 375 million people were infected in the first two years – and 5.6 million of them died with or from the virus.[1] Many people were forced into poverty, and children’s mental health has suffered.[2] Now, however, the tide seems to be turning at last. 

How long does the antibody response last?

How is the accuracy of the tests calculated?

Is SARS-CoV-2 close to becoming endemic?

How does a virus mutate?

“No one is safe until everyone is safe”

By Andrea Lutz
Andrea Lutz is a journalist and business trainer specialized on medical topics, technology, and healthcare IT. She lives in Nuremberg, Germany.
  1. [1] https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 accessed on 02-01-2022
  2. [2] https://www.euro.who.int/de/about-us/regional-director/statements-and-speeches/2022
  3. [3] https://www.thejournalofprecisionmedicine.com/wp-content/uploads/precision-covid-19-testing.pdf
  4. [4] https://www.euro.who.int/de/about-us/regional-director/statements-and-speeches/2022
  5. [5] https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Steckbrief.html accessed on 02-01-2022
  6. [6] https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.12.04.21267114
  7. [7] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/omicron-end-of-covid-19-anthony-fauci-radio-davos/ accessed on 02-15-2022
  8. [8] https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB150/B150_3-en.pdf
  9. [9] https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/EB150/B150_3-en.pdf
  10. [10] https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/media-resources/science-in-5/episode-64---why-are-experts-concerned-about-omicron accessed on 02-01-2022
  11. [11] https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Virusvariante.html accessed on 02-01-2022
  12. [12] https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.01.11.22269045
  13. [13] https://www.charite.de/service/pressemitteilung/artikel/detail/muessen_covid_19_impfstoffe_zukuenftig_regelmaessig_neu_angepasst_werden/
  14. [14] Chia WN et al.: Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody responses and duration of immunity: a longitudinal study. The Lancet Microbe 202;2(6):E240–E249.

  15. [15] https://www.gavi.org/covax-vaccine-roll-out accessed on 02-15-2022

  16. [16] National Center for Biotechnology Information. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

  17. [17] https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/DESH/Hilfestellung_PCR-Testung.html - accessed on 02-01-2022

  18. [18] https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/Virologische_Basisdaten.html;jsessionid=AAFEDB2405D4410034FC71C6FB28155A.internet101?nn=13490888 - accessed on 02-01-2022

  19. * These tests have not been FDA cleared or approved. They have been authorized by FDA under an EUA for use by authorized laboratories. The molecular (“PCR”) test has been authorized only for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. The antigen test has been authorized only for the detection of proteins from SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. The serology (“antibody”) test has been authorized only for detecting the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. These tests are only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner. Product availability may vary from country to country and is subject to varying regulatory requirements.
  20. Claims for detection of neutralizing antibodies and correlation to neutralizing antibody tests for Siemens Healthineers COVID-19 antibody tests have not been reviewed by the FDA and are not available in the U.S. Availability of these claims varies from country to country and is subject to varying regulatory requirements.