South Australia bans pinprick virus tests

So-called pinprick tests to detect the coronavirus have been banned for use by the public in South Australia as part of measures to halt the spread of the virus.

The serology anti-body tests can return results in about 30 minutes, but are only accurate if antibodies can be detected in the blood which can take between five and seven days after infection.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration says because antibody tests do not detect active viral shedding, they cannot determine if an individual is infectious.

That could result in false-negative results.

South Australian police say a direction under the Emergency Management Act has been issued to prevent the use of serology tests as a tool to detect or diagnose COVID-19.

"The purpose of this direction is to prohibit a person from using a serological test as an acute illness diagnostic tool for COVID-19, as their use may adversely affect the prevention, control and abatement of the serious public health risk," a statement said.

The direction does not apply to employees of SA Pathology or the Department of Health and Wellbeing.