It is estimated that this week diagnoses will begin in five special units in the Big Apple, amid doubts as to whether a positive result in this test makes people immune to re-infection.
A couple of months ago, the couple Peruvian Harold Quispe, 42, of Manhattan, presented some ailments and respiratory problems. It improved completely, without the need to go to the emergency room. The COVID-19 discard test was never carried out, but at the time that the City Health authorities promote the massification of antibody testsAs a new angle to fight the pandemic, the immigrant was looking for alternatives this Monday to take this special test.
“We call our health insurance and we made some references to go to a private laboratory, we are waiting for the details, because we think it is important. Only my partner at home was somewhat ill. For the rest, I have been very good. We know that a large percentage of people may have had the coronavirus without symptoms. And there is an alternative to find out, “explains Quispe.
The concern of Quispe It is expanding, in all corners of the city, where it is considered that one in 5 people has been infected and where there is a dilemma of the real usefulness of this new type of diagnosis.
Josué Laconte, a Spanish resident in Queens, 28, who presented very slight discomfort during the first two weeks of March, presumes that it is one of the thousands of cases, which although was not tested, could have been infected.
“I would like to know if I have the antibodies. I called the public hospital phone line and they said they didn’t have the information of when they will start doing these tests. They gave me the phone number for the New York Blood Center. They didn’t give me any information there either, ”said Laconte.
The young European was interested in learning about his “Alleged immunity against COVID-19”, when Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the expansion of antibody testing for New Yorkers last week, through a partnership with BioReferencia laboratories.
This strategy implies that the city will conduct its own antibody survey at community test sites in all five boroughs, to better understand the spread of the new virus.
It is not a definitive solution
It is estimated, according to the official information disclosed by NYC Health + Hospitals, that they will be evaluated at approximately 70,000 New Yorkers over an initial two-week period, with the ability to administer up to 5,000 tests per day.
“Many New Yorkers wonder if they have had the virus or if they have exposed their own families. Although antibody testing is not a definitive solution, they will give information to help us defeat this virus together, ”explained the mayor.
“For New York, a city that has been seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of information will be of great value, to help health professionals analyze the presence and progression of the disease and identify populations at risk, “he clarified Jon Cohen, CEO of BioReference Laboratories.
Through a partnership with the Federal Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Prevention Control (CDC), the City will also administer 140,000 antibody tests for healthcare workers and first responders in the Police, Fire and Education Departments.
In another initiative, the NYC Health + Hospitals has evaluated more than 8,000 health workers looking for antibodies in its 11 hospitals.
What are these tests for?
Both New York State and the City have continued to increase antibody tests in recent weeks, which experts say it is useful to track the virus and provide a balance of how the infection has spreadHowever, there are many doubts in the scientific community, about whether someone has the antibodies, be protected from being infected again.
The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tests developed by local laboratories, amid the controversy, as a means of expanding this category of diagnoses, which would be a step forward to help open up the economy.
Governor Andrew Cuomo said last Friday that the antibody test is extended as “an indicator of the infection rate, but this does not mean that we are giving the green light to New York residents to return to their jobs and forget the rules of social distancing“
What does the CDC say?
The CDC, In their latest update, they highlight that if a person is positive in these tests “shows you have antibodies that likely resulted from COVID-19 infection, or possibly a related coronavirus. “
This agency stresses that it is unclear whether these antibodies can provide protection (immunity) against infection again.
“This means that we don’t know at this time, if the antibodies make him immune to the virus ”, says the official CDC page.
It is also highlighted that an antibody test cannot determine if a person is currently sick with COVID-19.
“You may have a positive antibody result and you may not have or have had symptoms of the coronavirus. This is known as having an asymptomatic infection or an infection without symptoms “, the body needs.
Where can these new tests be carried out?
It was estimated that starting this week, antibody tests will be offered by appointment only in special units arranged in Morrisania (The Bronx), East New York (Brooklyn), Upper Manhattan, Concord (Staten Island) and Long Island City (Queens).
Although this Monday in the number arranged for that purpose, 844-NYC-4NYC, the operators did not offer precise information on when the antibody tests will begin.
I searched for information:
To increase access to care for New Yorkers who have symptoms or questions about the coronavirus (COVID-19), NYC Health + Hospitals will continue to provide up-to-date guidance and information through their telephone hotline at 844-NYC -4NYC.
In numbers:
- 21% of people randomly analyzed in New York City they had COVID-19 antibodies.
- 1 out of 5 they would have been infected by coronavirus.
- 1.9 million people it would be the number of infected in the Big Apple if this projection is maintained.
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