Signs directing medical traffic near Spectrum Health’s coronavirus (COVID-19) triage screening area outside the Emergency Department at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory MorseCory Morse | MLive.com
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Spectrum Health announced Thursday that it’s offering COVID-19 antibody testing, which aims to detect a previous infection through the existence of disease-fighting antibodies.
The test is available to the general public, but it does require an order from a doctor or advanced practice provider, the Grand Rapids-based health system said in a news release.
“We know that anyone who receives a positive result on this test has been exposed to COVID-19,” Susan Smith, senior director of laboratory services at Spectrum, said in a May 21 statement. “We hope this testing will help us learn more about how the disease spreads in our community and who it has affected.”
The antibody test is a two-tiered test. Spectrum said the test targets the “IgG antibody specific to the virus that causes COVID-19,” and that the “test improves accuracy by confirming results using two different mechanisms.”
Spectrum says it has capacity to conduct up to 1,000 antibody tests per day. It costs $45, and Spectrum says results “should be covered by most insurance plans.”
“Spectrum Health cautions that the presence of antibodies does not mean you are immune from contracting COVID-19,” Spectrum said in a news release. “Nor does it support easing behaviors such as social distancing, wearing a face mask and regularly washing your hands.”
Related: Coronavirus antibody tests offer big promise, but can they deliver?
PREVENTION TIPS
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.
Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.
Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued an executive order requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nose while inside enclosed, public spaces.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
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Thursday, May 21: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan
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