'Am I protected?': The best way to test for COVID antibodies in Manitoba
Taking a rapid antigen test has become common practice for many Manitobans over the pandemic as they test for COVID-19.
But there is another over-the-counter test Manitobans could use if they are wondering if they have antibodies to the virus. However, one expert says it doesn't give us the whole COVID-19 picture in Manitoba.
The common COVID-19 antibody test uses drops of blood to tell you in minutes if you have an antibody response.
Derek Stein, a scientist at Cadham Provincial Lab, says the test tells if you have IGG antibodies, which are long-lasting, or IGM, which are early antibodies.
He says the tests give you a simple yes or no, which he feels isn't very helpful as it doesn't tell you how many antibodies you have.
"Everyone is going to want to know, 'Am i protected?' That's the question that everyone is asking when they want this antibody test and these antibody tests can't give you the answer to that question right away," said Stein.
Stein runs a more sophistcated test at Cadham testing random blood samples from patients across Manitoba who have had blood taken for various reasons. This is to help determine Manitoba's seroprevalence, meaning the number of persons in a population who test positive for a specific disease. He says it's the best way to tell how many people have had COVID.
"The province is only able to capture the numbers if you go for testing," said Stein. "If you don't go for testing, we don't know whether you've had COVID or whether you've been exposed to COVID, so seroprevalence allows us to capture that whole population."
Stein says the total cumulative rate for COVID-19 antibodies in Manitoba is 82 per cent, meaning 4 out of 5 Manitobans have either been infected by COVID or exposed to it since the beginning of the pandemic.
Antibody responses vary from person to person based on many factors like sex, age or existing medical conditions, according to Stein.
"The response the body makes is really complicated and we are still trying to figure out exactly how all that plays together in terms of immunity and protection," he said.
The tests used at the lab can give answers that the at-home test can't, and that data helps steer public health decisions.
Stein says the largest COVID-19 antibody rate is in those aged 20-39 years old. People 65 and older have lower seroprevalence, which is why booster campaigns target people 50 and older.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freedom Convoy-affiliated group being evicted from Ottawa church
The owner of a historic church in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood is evicting a group with ties to the 'Freedom Convoy' occupation planning to purchase the property this fall, in an apparent dispute over unpaid rent for the facility.

Vatican shelves sexual assault probe into Cardinal Marc Ouellet
There is not enough evidence to open a formal church investigation into sexual assault allegations against a prominent Quebec cardinal, Pope Francis declared Thursday. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, an adviser to the Pope, has been accused of sexual misconduct in a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this week in Quebec Superior Court.
Rising rent means more Canadians are giving up on owning a home
As rent prices rise, CTVNews.ca heard from a number of Canadians struggling to afford their homes. The surge in rent prices over the last few months has forced many to cut back on spending, with some having to relocate or move in with their parents.
BREAKING | Wolf found dead, another still missing after apparent break-in at Vancouver zoo
One of the wolves that were released during an apparent break-in at the Greater Vancouver Zoo this week has been found dead, and another remains on the loose.
What you can do to help mitigate shortages of fever and pain relievers
Pharmacists and health care professionals are asking the public to only buy what they need and to be up to date on all their essential immunization shots to help with Tylenol, Advil shortages.
Ontario ICU closed for a month has no date set to reopen
A month after an Ontario intensive care unit temporarily closed due to a “significant staff shortage,” the hospital has no timeline for when the ICU will re-open its doors.
Nova Scotia mother with ALS uses eye-tracking technology to write her life story
Angela Parker-Brown may be unable to speak but that hasn't stopped her from using her voice. The mother from Truro, N.S., who is unable to speak due to ALS, recently published a memoir using technology that tracks her eye movements to form words and sentences.
Apple warns of security flaw for iPhones, iPads and Macs
Apple disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.
Closed-door national security committee of parliamentarians reviewing spyware use
Parliament's top-secret national security committee is launching a review into federal agencies' ability to intercept private communications, on the heels of the RCMP revealing it has been using spyware as part of major investigations, for decades.