Coronavirus: NHS and social care staff to get antibody tests from next week, Matt Hancock to announce

“However, they won’t be able to tell us for months if people who have had the virus are immune.” Mr Hancock is expected to announce the plans later on Thursday, insiders confirmed to The Independent. However, Professor Stephen Powis, the NHS England medical director, warned against reliance on antibody tests at the Downing Street press conference on Wednesday. Niall Dickson, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents hospital bosses, warned that staff and patients would be put at risk if the system is not in place ahead of any further easing of the lockdown.