Didn't see a thread on pg 1.

Where can someone get a reliable antibody test and how much does it cost?

Let's start with Houston and Dallas ....

Thanks in advance

LabCorp in Garland has antibody tests available. My friend received results in less than 24 hours.

I didn't know that about the blood drives. That's actually a great idea that also benefits others.

My friends are convinced I had covid in January and wanted me to get an antibody test.

I didn't want to spend 150-200 to find out so I jumped at the chance to give blood and give a free test.

For the record I don't think I had it, I was just the first in our friend group to get it and I spread it to all my friends. It was a nasty cold imo.

Lots of blood banks are coming on board with an antibody test.

Gulf coast in Houston area.

Carter BloodCare in north/east/central Texas will go live probably end of next week or end of June.

As for reliability.... these are first generation test. And by no means should anyone take the outcome from the test an infer any solid results...

Blood drive didn't start until Monday. I hit up a Houston "Signature Urgent Care" on TC Jester. Got the rapid antigen and antibody tests.

What were your results?

And what was it like - wait times, cleanliness etc? We went to the Copperfield location at 8:30 and signed up for last slots at 7pm - went back at 6:30 and the 4:00 appts were still waiting. And no social distancing or cleaning anything. It was a Petri dish.

I'm about to eligible to give again. Is Gulf Coast doing these with all donations or how do I sign up?

Generally, all donations are being tested. No need to sign up for anything special. I know we are going to be drawing an extra tube from the diversion bag and then it is the tube that gets tested. But just like all other tests, no extra effort or blood on the part of the donor.

I'm not 100% sure if GC has completely rolled out the program yet, but I know it is in the works as we have been in talks with them about partnering on the program.

In all honesty, the hardest part of this (other than deciding what test to run) is finding out how to pay for it. When we are talking 1000 test + per day, at around $3-$15 (cost depends on what test is selected) per test, the cost adds up quickly.

Most blood centers run on a budget of .5%-1.5% margin so this is gonna be a big hit to our already devastated financials due to CV19.

We are planning on rolling it out through the end of 2020 at least, just my regionally operation it will be an unexpected cost of $150k.

How much did that cost?

Urgent Care place in Fulshear was offering free test & antibody screening...

I was negative on rapid antigen, but family member was positive so not out of woods yet. The antibidy results take about a week to go out to labcore and back.

The rapid costs $175 and antibody is $300 without major insurance carrier.

About 10-15 cars in drive thru, which took about 3 hours from arrival to results. Vitals and rapid nose swab done from car, antibody blood draw was set up right inside the ER walkway.

CowtownAg06 said:

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I'm about to eligible to give again. Is Gulf Coast doing these with all donations or how do I sign up?

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Just left a meeting. Gulf coast is starting the antibody testing today for all donors.

SoulSlaveAG2005 said:

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CowtownAg06 said:

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I'm about to eligible to give again. Is Gulf Coast doing these with all donations or how do I sign up?

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Just left a meeting. Gulf coast is starting the antibody testing today for all donors.

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Thanks. My window reopened 2 weeks ago. Just booked an appointment for Friday.

I'm coming down with minor headache and 100.7 fever. I tested negative on Sat, but family member in car for 3 hrs tested positive. I think I may have caught it. I was somewhat of a skeptic on how easily it spreads but starting to see huge spike coming IF people actually go get tested.

Stay safe out there yall

I'm going tmrw or Wed to get tested again.

Good luck to you and your family.

Hope symptoms are mild and brief. Hang in there!

Thanks for well wishes. Fever got up to 101.7 last night,but broke overnight and back to normal temp. Only feeling lethargic with mild headache.

I went to go get tested at same place as Saturday (TC Jester) and the line was about 1 mile long! No way 75% of people waiting even get tested.

I'm treating my case as positive due to positive family member who I was exposed to with same symptoms. Hopefully there is indeed durable immunity like with apes and the population clears it with minimal collateral damage.. I think free antibody tests would derisk the situation more than anything.

So how many times did your family member cough on you?

None actually. He was asymptomatic and in back seat behind passenger. We shared pens to register, but I think it's just the car cabin for 3.5 hrs. Probably why they are starting to avoid waiting rooms.

Update-
1) The CVS sites didnt work at several locations, each time you try to book a time, it says already booked. (tried 5 slots)
2) I have been waiting 2-3 hrs for two separate urgent care locations. I'm "in line" online waiting for confirmation txt to ensure I actually get in queue.

Many of the other locations are not confirmed to be rapid testing. The phone either goes to dead end or a caller directs you to online tool for the 4-5 confirmed test locations I called around Houston.

Would be interested to know experience of anyone in Dallas or Austin trying today?

Interesting. it almost sounds like not wearing a mask because I am not coughing or dont feel bad might not be the ideal route to go.

Duncan Idaho said:

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Interesting. it almost sounds like not wearing a mask because I am not coughing or dont feel bad might not be the ideal route to go.

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Funny thing is we were wearing masks, just pulled down to chin to conversate when nurse wasn't at car.

Someone mentioned that today was the first Abbott presser where everyone was wearing mask when not talking. His emphasis on enforcing guidelines is also an indicator of larger spread. He threatened to suspend liquor licenses.

LabCorp offers at at-home PCR test to check for active infection. No messing with appointment hunting, waiting rooms with potentially sick people, painful swabs, nor exorbitant fees.

https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/covid-19

They also offer antibody testing but that does require an in-person blood draw.

https://www.labcorp.com/antibody-testing


Most of the urgent care and doc offices send the specimen off to LabCorp or Quest anyway. Why not go direct?

Sent you a PM

thirdcoast said:

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I'm coming down with minor headache and 100.7 fever. I tested negative on Sat, but family member in car for 3 hrs tested positive. I think I may have caught it. I was somewhat of a skeptic on how easily it spreads but starting to see huge spike coming IF people actually go get tested.

Stay safe out there yall

I'm going tmrw or Wed to get tested again.

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Quest is also offering antibody tests. Mine was a simple blood draw and I was in and out.