For those who have made a successful donation to the nonprofit, the test will be performed for free in addition to the standard testing all blood donations receive, according to the news release, with results available in approximately three business days.
The COVID-19 antibody test, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under an Emergency Use Authorization, will show if a donor’s immune system has responded to the virus by producing antibodies, according to the release. Most people with the antibodies will have had symptoms of the COVID-19 disease, such as fever, cough or trouble breathing, though some may have antibodies and no symptoms.
Gulf Coast Regional is using the Roche Diagnostics Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Test to check for antibodies. It should be noted that those who do test positive for the antibodies may be asked to return to give convalescent plasma, in which the antibodies present might help others fight the infection, according to the release.
Gulf Coast regional is the sole provider of blood and blood components 24/7 to more than 170 hospitals and health care facilities in a 26-county Texas Gulf Coast region, according to its website.
For more information, or to donate blood, visit https://giveblood.org for more information or contact Donor Advocates at [email protected] or 713-791-6608.
