Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has begun testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies, the center announced in a June 15 news release.
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.
