Test to determine past exposure to coronavirus available at Doctors Care’s across SC
Doctors Care is making a new antibody test available across South Carolina to determine past exposure to COVID-19.
Starting Wednesday, all of Doctors Care 54 urgent care locations in the state — including 23 in the Midlands — began offering the walk-in test, spokeswoman Jill Armbruster told The State.
The test is used to detect the presence of antibodies, not to diagnose active infections, Doctors Care officials said in a news release. The test is available for people who are healthy, and have not had any symptoms of the coronavirus in the preceding 14 days, according to the release.
“For the safety of our staff and other patients, we ask that only symptom-free patients seek testing at our centers,” Armbruster said in the release. “We also request that you wear a face mask or bandana to eliminate any risk of exposure to those individuals also in center.”
The test involves drawing a small vial of blood, and the results are available within 24-72 hours, Armbruster told The State.
A positive result indicates the individual could have had a previous exposure to COVID-19 and their body has developed antibodies, according to the release.
Some people infected with COVID-19 will never exhibit symptoms but will have detectable antibodies, officials said.
“We know there are a lot people in the community who believe that they were possibly exposed to the virus in the early stage of the pandemic when no testing was available,” Doctors Care urgent care president Dr. Curtis Franke said in the release. “This test will allow those patients some peace of mind, although it does not guarantee immunity for those with a positive result. We still have much to learn about this infection and the antibody response, and results should be treated accordingly.”
Doctors Care officials said there is a belief that the presence of antibodies might provide immunity to future infections, but currently there is not enough data to support the theory.
Information about the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, or other state health officials, endorsing the test was not available.
The antibody test has been in the works for some time, but it was rolled out this week after the Doctors Care team ensured the workflow for the testing process was sound, Armbruster said.
Although the test is available at all of the Doctors Care sites in South Carolina, not all are operating on traditional business hours because of coverage issues created by the coronavirus pandemic. Armbruster said to check DoctorsCare.com for the latest hours, and also to see the wait time to take the test at each location.
Doctors Care is also offering on-site antibody testing for businesses looking to get employees safely back into the workplace, according to the release. In addition to the antibody tests, officials said these exams also include temperature checks and symptom questionnaires, while viral diagnostic test referrals are available via virtual visits.
“The safety of employees in all industry sectors is key to getting our state back on track, and Doctors Care wants to be a part of the solution,” Armbruster said in the release. “We’re in this together, and want to offer our expertise to support businesses around the state.”
Those who think they have an active COVID-19 infection can go online to schedule a drive-thru test, it said in the release.
On Wednesday, 130 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in South Carolina, bringing the statewide total to 5,881 confirmed COVID-19 cases in all 46 counties, according to DHEC.
DHEC also announced that 40 more people died after testing positive for the coronavirus, raising that total to 232. State health officials described 192 of the people as elderly, 40 patients were middle-aged.
“There is currently no cure or vaccine,” the South Carolina Emergency Management Division said.
There have been 48,336 combined negative tests at DHEC’s public health laboratory and at private labs.
Symptoms of coronavirus can include a fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing, according to the CDC. Other symptoms that could be signs are chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell, according to DHEC.
Among the emergency warning signs of COVID-19 is trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, and blueish lips or face, the CDC said.
DHEC is encouraging people to practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus. Social distancing is staying away from unnecessary interactions with sick people and from large groups of people; it also calls for remaining at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out.
The best way to prevent infection is to frequently wash hands for 20 seconds; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth; avoid contact with sick people and clean frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe, according to the CDC. DHEC also recommends covering your cough, staying home when sick, and disposing tissues and other items that you’ve sneezed or coughed into.
Free online screenings also can be accessed by all South Carolina residents, by going to scdhec.gov/COVID19.
Prisma Health is also offering free access to medical professionals for those who think they may have coronavirus, The State reported. People experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can go to https://www.prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/ and schedule a free online visit, Prisma officials said.
As of Thursday morning, 3,209,984 people worldwide have been diagnosed with coronavirus and 228,057 people have died, while 985,957 have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The United States leads the world with 1,040,488 people who have been diagnosed with the novel virus. In the U.S. 60,999 deaths have been reported, including 18,076 in New York City, according to Johns Hopkins.
