AFC Urgent Care New Bedford is now offering antibody blood testing to detect past infection with coronavirus. The test, known as SARS-CoV-2 AB, is a blood test with results available within 48 hours.
Who is eligible for testing?
Patients over the age of 10 who have been without symptoms for at least fourteen days are eligible for antibody testing. Patients exhibiting symptoms including cough, headache, congestion or fever are asked to wait prior to undergoing antibody testing.
What is the difference between antibody testing and molecular testing?
The molecular test is performed via a nasal swab and tests for the active COVID-19 virus. COVID-19 antibody testing is performed via a blood test and tests for past infection of coronavirus. Antibody testing is unable to test for an active infection with the virus.
Antibody testing is not currently FDA approved, however it has been approved for Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA.
When will my results be available?
A member of our staff will call you with your results in between 24-48 hours.
What can I expect when I come to AFC Urgent Care New Bedford for testing?
When you come for testing, please wear a mask as you come into the center. If over six people are in our waiting area, please sign in at the front desk and wait in your car. Our front desk staff will call you when it is time to come inside. You will have a consultation with one of our providers to ensure that you are asymptomatic and go over any symptoms you have had previously, including when they resolved. Our provider will also go over the limitations of antibody testing and how the results will be interpreted.
What should I know about my results?
Regardless of your results, it is critical to make sure you are still following local and federal guidelines including social distancing, wearing a mask in public and avoiding gatherings. For more information, check the state health department website.
A positive test result may indicate that you have been exposed to coronavirus, likely COVID-19 as other strains are not in season and less common at this time.
A negative test result could indicate that you have not been exposed to COVID-19 enough to develop an immune response. However, it could indicate that you have been exposed to COVID-19 within the last ten days, so your body has not had enough time to develop a response.
For the most up-to-date information on the level of protection provided by COVID-19 antibodies, please visit the CDC website.
