This article from April 4th, 2020 explains the value of quickly developing an antibody test for Covid-19. While testing so far has been able to determine if an individual is currently infected by the SARS-CoV-2, it is unable to distinguish people who previously had the virus and have since recovered. An antibody test would be able to do this. Antibody testing will therefore allow more accurate numbers to be collected on how many people have actually been infected with this coronavirus and will also help identify those who may have immunity.
