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Corona Virus/ Covid19/ Sars-Cov2

1) Antibody tests measure the immune system’s response to an infection. The Initial antibody produced is called IgM, subsequently the body produces IgG. IgM is detectable after a short period of time usually within a week of infection. IgG is usually produced approximately 2 weeks after an infection. IgG may be detectable for months to years after an infection. IgM is detectable for a much shorter period of time.

2) Negative antibody results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in those who have recently been in contact with some who has the virus. Concurrent testing with a molecular diagnostic test, (for example, a nasal swab which tests for the actual virus and not antibodies) should be performed to rule out the possibility that someone could be a asymptomatic carrier of the virus.

3) Positive results from antibody testing should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection or to inform infection status. Positive results may be due to past or present infection with non-SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strains, such as coronavirus HKU1, NL63, OC43, or 229E. These strains are causes of the common cold. A positive result on an antibody test cannot be used as a “go back to work” test as we don’t know if the antibody will protect you and if it is protective we don’t know how long this protection would last.

4) PEOPLE WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR ANTIBODIES ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO BE FREE OF ALL VIRUS AND THEREFORE MAY STILL BE ABLE TO INFECT OTHERS.

5) ALL CURRENT ANTIBODY TESTS AVAILABLE AS OF 5/3/2020, have only been authorized by the FDA under their EUA (Emergency Use Authorization). When a practice says that their test is FDA approved, it has not been fully evaluated by the FDA but in view of the current emergency situation they are allowed to be used.

6) CHEMED has chosen the LabCorp test which will check for both IgM and IgG. It requires a blood draw but in our opinion is more accurate than the tests that only require a finger stick.