Coronavirus: Italy begins testing for signs of immunity

Authorities hope move will eventually allow them to issue ‘licences’ to individuals with proven immunity allowing them to return to work

Country’s number of deaths and infections has flattened out, and government has begun considering reopening businesses under ‘phase two’ stage of crisis

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A medical worker takes samples at a Covid-19 drive-through testing station in Rome on Friday. Photo: AP

Published: 3:01am, 7 Apr 2020Updated: 8:28pm, 7 Apr 2020

Authorities in northern Italy have begun testing health workers for antibodies that may help identify individuals with immunity to the coronavirus as they look for ways to ease the lockdown imposed a month ago to contain the epidemic.

On Monday, the northeastern region of Veneto, which saw one of Italy’s earliest outbreaks of the disease in February, started blood tests on health workers, following neighbouring Emilia Romagna, which began testing last week.

“I can announce that the blood tests on health workers have begun,” said regional governor Luca Zaia.

Following an initial phase of testing on 2,000-3,000 health workers, tests are to be extended to staff and residents in nursing homes and workers in contact with the public.

Zaia said the aim would ultimately be to allow authorities to issue “licences” for individuals with proven immunity to the virus to return to work.

The tests come as the number of deaths and infections has flattened out and the government has begun considering the so-called phase two stage of the crisis, when businesses and industry closed during the lockdown can start to reopen.