CORNWALL, N.Y. (May 6, 2020) – Cornerstone Family Healthcare is now offering antibody IgG testing for COVID-19. This service is available to everyone that fits the testing criteria; you do not need to be a patient of Cornerstone to receive an antibody test.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to the community, we are offering antibody testing to anyone that may need it,” shared Dr. Avi Silber, Chief Medical Officer of Cornerstone Family Healthcare. “It’s important to know that since this is new virus, we do not know yet if having antibodies to the virus can protect someone from getting infected with the virus again, or how long that protection might last. In the meantime, this test is the best test we can do to indicate some sort of immunity. People are encouraged to continue to follow social distancing guidelines, regardless of their results.”
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and it has been at least 21 days since you were first showing symptoms, this test may be able to detect the presence of antibodies indicating an immune response after COVID-19 infection. This is not a test for an active COVID-19 infection.
The test is run on a small blood sample, which is sent to a lab to be processed. Positive results signify that antibodies are present, but protective immunity based on these results has yet to be established in clinical trials.
If you are interested in receiving an antibody test, please call Cornerstone Family Healthcare at 845-563-8000. Each test requires a quick telemedicine visit with one of our medical providers, then you will be redirected to have your blood drawn at an appropriate site.
Please remember, it must be at least 21 days since you were first showing symptoms in order to receive the antibody test. Otherwise, your body may not have yet produced the antibodies that occur from fighting a virus.
Who Should Get an Antibody Test
- Anyone that has had a positive COVID-19 test at least 21 days ago and may be interested in donating plasma
- Essential and frontline workers
- Employees that need a test to return to work
- Individuals that had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in the past three months, but did not get tested
As a reminder, Cornerstone Family Healthcare is still open to see patients, online through a virtual visit or in-person, for all of their healthcare needs. Although everyone was asked to stay home and stop the spread, it’s still important for those with healthcare needs such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, COPD, prenatal care, pediatric well visits and vaccinations, to continue to see their medical providers.
Cornerstone’s first priority will always be the health and safety of our community. Do not let fear of potential exposure to COVID-19 prevent you from seeking care when it is needed. We have put policies into place to make sure visits are as safe as possible for our patients, employees and the community.
About Cornerstone Family Healthcare
Cornerstone Family Healthcare is a Federally Qualified Health Center providing quality affordable health care to those in need for 50 years. Cornerstone offers comprehensive primary medical and dental services, woman’s health services, behavioral health services, substance abuse treatment, health education and health coverage enrollment assistance to the uninsured and underinsured residents of Orange, Ulster, Rockland and Broome Counties in New York. Cornerstone provides services through eight sites and outreach in the community. Last year, Cornerstone provided services to 46,000 people through 300,000 patient visits. For more information on the health center, please visit: https://cornerstonefamilyhealthcare.org
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