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LifeSouth announced last week that it would begin administering the tests to all eligible donors. The tests can give a person an idea whether they’ve had the virus, but it is not a surefire method.
Antibody tests for covid-19 are readily available — all you have to do is donate some blood.
LifeSouth announced last week that it would begin administering the tests to all eligible donors. The tests can give a person an idea whether they’ve had the virus, but it is not a surefire method.
The antibody test being used by the organization is approved for use by the FDA.
A positive test result may indicate past exposure to the virus and some degree of immunity, but will not tell someone whether they currently have the virus.
LifeSouth is encouraging community members to make an appointment to donate in the coming weeks.
Plasma donations from recovered covid-19 patients, or even those who had the virus but showed no symptoms, can be a “critical tool” in the fight against the pandemic, the organization wrote in a statement.
LifeSouth has been testing potential convalescent plasma donors for antibodies since April. By expanding the testing to all blood donors, the organization aims to spur more public interest in taking a trip to the Bloodmobile.
“Currently, LifeSouth is experiencing a critical need for all blood types and assures it is safe to give blood,” the organization wrote in the statement. “All donor centers and bloodmobiles are enforcing social distancing between donors and implementing heightened sanitation protocols.”
In addition to the Bloodmobile, which will be seen around Lake City in the coming weeks, LifeSouth’s donor center is located at 833 SW State Road 47.
Donors must be at least 17 — or 16 with parental permission. Donors must also weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health.
A photo ID is required.
Additional information is available by calling LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or visiting www.lifesouth.org.
A negative antibody test does not guarantee someone has never had covid-19, according to the Florida Department of Health.
It can usually take up to three weeks for the body to develop antibodies, so someone who has the virus may still test negative if their immune system hasn’t had enough time.
Additionally, some people may take longer to develop antibodies and some may not develop them at all.
Still, the tests are one more tool at the public’s disposal and may provide useful information.