[RWebb]

I'll back it up a bit...

There are 3 ways to test for the virus (not counting a CT scan to look for pneumonia... not specific for covid-19 anyway)

1. PCR - this type of test looks for a specific gene sequence found only in certain coronaviruses; the Berlin developed test that was adopted by WHO was of this type, as was the CDC initial no worky test, and several others

2. antibody assays (see OP) - nice b/c they will give a + even if the person has recovered from the virus; there are a few types; S. Korea has one that gives real time results in 10 minutes (in the lb - I don't think it is deployed yet)

3. Sequencers - these resolve the nucleic acid chain (sequence) of the virus - they are now automated and fit on top of a lab bench; I dunno if they are field operable (but a sample could be taken in the field and taken to a building nearby); they are much more rapid than the ones used for the Human Genome Project - my guess is tens of minutes to a couple of hours AFTER they get the sample

You can expect a rush to develop and deploy all types.