In part I of this blog we talked about who is eligible for a COVID-19 antibody test and the benefits of receiving one. In addition to making sure your organization is fully stocked with all of the coronavirus medical supplies that you need to operate, it is also good to be knowledgeable about testing recommendations for the virus.
There is a lot of talk about testing for COVID-19, but what about testing for its antibodies? Antibody testing is conducted with a blood test that determines whether an individual has had a past infection with SARS-CoV-2. It is important to note that this test can’t determine whether there is a current COVID-19 infection. An antibody test may detect one of two certain types of antibodies related to the COVID-19 virus:
∙ Binding antibodies: The test for these antibodies is widely available, and can detect whether you’ve developed any antibodies in response to an infection from COVID-19. These antibodies are not an indicator of how extensive or effective your immune response to the virus is, however.
∙ Neutralizing antibodies: The test for these antibodies is not yet widely available, but this newer and more sensitive test can detect a subgroup of antibodies that could inactivate the virus. This test is conducted after an individual has tested positive for binding antibodies. Testing for neutralizing antibodies is an additional step toward seeing how effective a person’s antibodies are at blocking the virus to help protect against another COVID-19 infection.
In addition to relying on applya for your coronavirus medical supplies, your organization can consider hosting a blood drive to help your community and provide participants with the opportunity to receive antibody testing.