The government needs to focus on antibody testing. There are many tests out there. The FDA authorized the first COVID antibody test that can be done at home with saliva The bad news is that The Rutgers Clinical Genomics Laboratory is the only lab that can perform the test and capacity is limited (but good news if you live in New Jersey)
Our Connecticut Integrative Medical Center now has IgG & IgM COVID-19 Antibody testing available. Our lab is using and FDA authorized test with a specificity of 97.5% and a sensitivity of 95.6%.
This test differs from the nasal swab, which only looks at active infections. While this is a new test, and we are learning more every day, antibody testing for viral infections can help identify both active and past infections. We are seeing more and more individuals who have had past infections with mild or no symptoms. Having a past infection can potentially mean one has some level of immunity now.
Think you were exposed to COVID-19 or got sick months ago? You might be a good candidate for this test. Please contact our office at 203-717-1339 or connecticutIntegrative@gmail.com to schedule your blood draw. The test costs $175 up front. We will provide a copy of this bill. We are being told insurances will reimburse for the testing. We are spacing patients out, to minimize any contact when entering our office. We ask that patients wear masks, and gloves if you have as well.
Dr Ryan Attar and I have done over 100 tests so far. Yes, we have both positive and negative results for our patients. I would urge you before you return back to normalcy ( as we once knew it ) get an antibody test
Until tomorrow…