'World first' coronavirus blood test developed by Melbourne university

A blood test to rapidly detect if someone has been infected with COVID-19 has been developed by scientists in Melbourne.

The new test, developed by students at Monash University, can show if someone has been infected with coronavirus in just 20 minutes.

"As far as we know, it's an Australian first and a world first," Monash University's Dr Simon Corrie told 9News.

The breakthrough test doesn't diagnose a person who already has coronavirus, but rather detects antibodies once the virus has cleared.

These antibodies are like a virus footprint that shows evidence of someone recently having the virus, even if they didn't show symptoms.

"The only way to confirm if they've had it and been able to spread it in their communities is to test their blood for these antibodies," Dr Corrie said.

"Depending on the type of infrastructure you have, they can detect maybe a hundred tests per hour, just with one person at a bench."

Read More: All the latest on Australia's fight against coronavirus

The team behind the test will continue working on it in the lab before it is approved for community testing.

You can  get up-to-date information from the Federal Government's Coronavirus Australia app, available on the App Store, Google Play and the Government's WhatsApp channel.

Beyond Blue's Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service is a 24/7 service free of charge to all Australians. Visit the site here or call 1800 512 348.

For coronavirus breaking news alerts and livestreams straight to your smartphone sign up to the 9News app and set notifications to on at the App Store or Google Play.