Question

Does anyone know if/where antibody testing is available?  

Answer 1

My dad works for Abbott Laboratories and they just had their antibody test approved today for production. He mentioned they hope to be able to produce 5 million next month and 20 million by June.  
https://apple.news/ApR4T9JjPR5SH_QZ...iT_Tg

Comments

@sulfatize this is good news. Do you happen to know if this tests all three levels?  

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This test identifies the IgG antibodies which is the antibody that presents in the late stages of infection and can remain in the body for months and hopefully years. They’re still working on the IgM antibody which is the one that is detectable within days after someone is infected. Sorry if that isn’t super clear. Haha I’m def not a scientist.  

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@sulfatize this helps. Yeah having the late one I think is key. Some people may need to get tested twice. So I might take the test today and be negative but 30 days from now positive. It's finally good to hear that it's coming

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@casavant53483 yeah, exactly. That’s how I’ve understood it too.  

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Igm is active infection igg is past infection

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My husband works at Abbott too -- scientist. Yes, these will be first allocated to caregivers and essential workers, then all else. I dream of the fact that maybe I had the illness -- I really hope I did have it with mild symptoms.  

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Small world! Does he commute up there from Naperville?  

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@sulfatize Yes! But now he is WFH

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What is your dads name and role?  

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@melena that’s a heck of a commute! Same with my dad. Crazy they’re able to accomplish these things while working from home as much as possible.  

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@sulfatize Yes, but he normally goes to a lab. Yes, it is far. He goes late and returns late.  

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Once the shelter in place is lifted he will have to go back, even if half the time. But I am worried he will bring the virus.  

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My dad’s name is Bob Herrmann. he’s in the Diagnostic Division.  

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@sulfatize this is awesome! Thank you Abbott Labs

Answer 2

Yeah. Accuracy is an issue too, but there are three levels of antibodies that bulid over time. Some tests only test one, and some test all 3, but for example the 3rd level is only discoverable 28 days after infection. Also for people who had it but didn't get symptoms, antibodies may not be strong enough to detect. It's just complicated

Answer 3

Our governor said we were supposed to do 10k tests a day and were only doing 4k because of accuracy and he is really pushing for more tests. CNN had our governor on yesterday and testing does not look good. We are nowhere where we need to be

Answer 4

@quadrangle115 did you mention it’s available?  

Answer 5

Who can take the antibody testing