The Minister of Health in Chile announced that the country will be issuing immunity cards to those who have recovered from the coronavirus, a move that they hope will allow restrictions to be eased. The initial announcement came on April 9, and issuance of the cards began on April 20. Eligibility will be determined by testing for antibodies in recovered patients. In order to receive a card, an individual must either have recovered and been without symptoms for 14 days, or have been out of the hospital for at least a week. Other demographics may qualify, with their own set of applicable guidelines. For instance, medical workers will have to be re-tested every 15 days to continue qualifying for the card, and asymptomatic individuals who have been in contact with coronavirus patients may also be able to receive a card. Immunocompromised patients must be symptom-free for 28 days in order to be eligible.
According to Minister Jaime Manalich, the advent of rapid antibody testing in Chile has made the cards a feasible option. The ministry is also operating off of evidence suggesting that those who have been infected already may remain immune for long periods of time. However, critics have argued that the reinfection rates are still uncertain as of yet, and that testing remains a significant issue. The Chilean government asserts that with the proper use of antibody testing and immunity cards, the country may be able to gradually reopen while minimizing infection rates.
Source: Rodriguez-Ferrand, Graciela. 2020, April 30. Chile: Ministry of Health Announces Issuance of COVID-19 Immunity Card, Easing Restrictions for Some. Global Legal Monitor.
Image Credit: COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.