Coronavirus: Wayne HealthCare offering antibody testing in Greenville

Wayne HealthCare is now providing antibody testing for anyone who wishes to know if they may have been infected with coronavirus earlier this year.

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The test is available without an appointment or a doctor’s order.

An antibody test takes a blood sample and tests it to see if coronavirus antibodies are present.

“Offering antibody testing at Wayne HealthCare is important for a number of reasons,” said Kim Freeman, vice president of patient care aervices and chief nursing officer at Wayne HealthCare. “Not only will it provide answers to those curious if an unexplained illness they had earlier in the year was COVID-19, it will provide us, as a hospital, with a better understanding of the virus’s prevalence throughout Darke County and surrounding communities.”

The test is not meant for those currently experiencing symptoms and cannot determine if someone currently have the virus.

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However, it can be used for those who want to donate convalescent plasma to help others currently fighting the virus.

The test is available at the Outpatient Lab inside the hospital 835 Sweitzer Street in Greenville. Testing is available during normal business hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Anyone coming to the hospital must pass a health screening.

Wayne HealthCare is offering the COVID-19 IgG antibody test.

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“We like this test because IgG antibodies are those antibodies that the body produces in the latter stages of an infection and tend to provide long-term immunity against a virus,” said Matt Kiehl, administrative director of laboratory services at Wayne HealthCare. “So, this test will tell us if you have these antibodies. Unfortunately, because this is a new strain of coronavirus, what it won’t tell us is what levels of antibodies are needed for lasting immunity.”

The test costs $65 with payment due at the time of the test.

Results take about two to four days to process and will be mailed to the patient’s address.

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The test does not determine immunity from coronavirus. People should continue to follow federal, state and local guidelines aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.