By Shereen Siewert
Aspirus will offer COVID-19 antibody tests immediately, according to a news release issued Tuesday.
Testing will be performed daily, and results will be available within 24 hours of a sample arriving at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital Lab.
Aspirus System Laboratory Services Director Deakin Washatko said that fast access to reliable, high-quality tests is essential for health care systems and in the overall fight against COVID-19.
An antibody test looks for the presence of antibodies, which are specific proteins made in response to infections.
Antibodies can be found in the blood of people who are tested after infection and demonstrate an immune response to the infection. Antibody test results are especially important for detecting previous infections with few or no symptoms.
It’s unclear whether antibody tests will provide people with immunity from future infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“The availability of antibody tests is an important turning point in the progression of a pandemic,” Washatko said. “This will help us get a clearer picture of how the disease has spread throughout the community.”
If you think you need a serology test, please contact your primary care provider.
