As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge across much of the United States, demand for testing continues to outpace access. Alpha CHECKPOINT announces immediate availability of Pharmact GmbH BelTEST It SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG Rapid Test kits which are manufactured in Germany, UK and, as of August 1st, in the USA. These test kits have had worldwide distribution since March 2020 and received the CE certification mark that indicates conformity with health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Economic Area. Per the FDA requirements, these test kits have been validated by the developer prior to being offered for clinical use and are being distributed in this country under their strict guidelines.

The SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Test can assist in determining whether a patient has been exposed to the virus or has a past infection status. IgM and IgG may be helpful biomarkers to make determinations of a patient’s immune status, whether or not they are contagious, recovering, etc. A positive IgM value may indicate an infection in the early phase of the disease (4 to 10 days), and a positive IgG value may indicate a later phase (from 11 to 24 days).

Following a simple fingerprick with a lancet, the test result is visually read by a healthcare provider 20 minutes after a couple of blood droplets are placed on a hand held cassette device. No expensive instrumentation needed, no mailing of samples to laboratories, no waiting days for test results. This rapid test has a high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy because, unlike most rapid antibody blood tests, it uses 3 proteins (S1, S2, and N) to detect the antibodies (trinity method).

Portable, and with the ease of being able to be performed anywhere, makes it ideal for use in urgent care facilities, pharmacies, independent medical practices, selected third party administrators with medical professionals, hospitals, nursing homes, in house clinics for employers and self-insured organizations, patient service centers and more.

Furthermore, if public health efforts are geared towards identifying and quarantining as many symptomatic people as they can and there is still rising numbers of COVID-19 spread, then testing with the SARS-CoV-2 rapid kit could assist in testing the population, rapidly and in very large numbers. Additionally, identifying via widespread testing, seemingly healthy asymptomatic people that could be transmitting the virus silently may play a key factor in decreasing community spread.

The FDA has stated if an individual has fully recovered from COVID-19, they may be able to help patients currently fighting the infection by donating their plasma. Because they fought the infection, their plasma now contains COVID-19 antibodies. These antibodies provided one way for their immune system to fight the virus when they were sick, so their plasma may be able to be used to help others fight off the disease.

About Pharmact: Pharmact is a medtech company focusing on preventing disease through early detection. The company’s international team of medical experts provides healthcare professionals with qualitative point-of-care rapid tests for the early detection of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and liver fibrosis, as well as acute myocardial infarction.

About Alpha CHECKPOINT: Founded in 2000 by Ms. Caparco, Alpha CHECKPOINT offers a wide range of forensic testing services. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, and with an established history of professional and healthcare/medical industry expertise, Alpha CHECKPOINT was able to seamlessly transition into providing COVID-19 services and solutions.