COVID-19 antibody testing now available at Sanford Health
Contact:
Shawn Neisteadt
Sanford Health Media Relations
605-366-2432 / shawn.neisteadt@sanfordhealth.org
@SanfordShawnN
SIOUX FALLS, S.D., July 29, 2020 — A test that could determine if an individual has previously been infected with COVID-19 is now available at Sanford Health. The direct access test for antibodies is available for $65 and does not require approval from a doctor.
The test, which is available at nearly 50 Sanford Health locations, requires a blood draw analysis for the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. If antibodies are found, it is likely the person has previously had, or been exposed to, COVID-19. A lack of antibodies suggests the individual has not previously had the virus, or recently had the virus and antibodies have not yet been created. As with most tests, false positive and false negative results are possible.
Test results are delivered in My Sanford Chart within three to four days. Patients who do not have a My Sanford Chart account will receive results in the mail.
Antibodies are an immune system response formed to attack a virus. It is important to remember that this test is not for determining if someone is currently ill. Anyone experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19 should contact their health care provider.
“This is the next frontier in this ongoing battle against COVID-19,” said Dr. Allison Suttle, chief medical officer for Sanford Health. “Sanford Laboratories will be able to process more than 1,000 of these antibody tests each day. The information gained will be helpful to individuals, and also the health care community as we continue to learn more about this new virus.”
Because this is a direct access test, insurance is not billed and payment is required at the time of service. Sanford Laboratories accepts all major credit cards.
Sanford Health is also conducting research to determine the significance of antibody tests. Using employees who have volunteered, Sanford Research is studying caregivers who are at highest concern for potential COVID-19 exposure to learn more about prevalence, duration and rate of acquisition of antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19.
Antibody testing is available at the below Sanford Health locations.
North Dakota
- Sanford Health Jamestown 2nd Ave. Clinic
- Sanford Health Wahpeton Clinic
- Sanford Laboratory Bismarck
- Sanford Health West Dickinson Clinic
- Sanford Health East Dickinson Clinic
- Sanford East Interstate Ave Clinic (Bismarck)
- Sanford South Clinic (Bismarck)
- Sanford State Street Clinic (Bismarck)
- Sanford Health Highway 2 Clinic (Minot)
- Sanford Health Northwest Clinic (Minot)
- Sanford North Mandan Clinic
- Sanford East Mandan Clinic
- Sanford Southpointe Clinic Laboratory (Fargo)
- Sanford North Fargo Clinic Laboratory
- Sanford West Fargo Clinic Laboratory
- Sanford Children’s Southwest Clinic Laboratory (Fargo)
- Sanford Medical Center Fargo
- Sanford Laboratories – Broadway Clinic (Fargo)
- Sanford Neuroscience Clinic (Fargo)
South Dakota
- Sanford Health Mitchell
- Sanford Health Watertown Clinic
- Sanford Aberdeen Clinic
- Sanford Laboratories – Medical Building 2 (MB2) (Sioux Falls)
- Sanford Laboratories – Rapid City
- Sanford Clear Lake
Minnesota
- Sanford Jackson Clinic
- Sanford Health Broadway Clinic (Alexandria)
- Sanford Clinic Canby
- Sanford Health Detroit Lakes Clinic & Same Day Surgery Center
- Sanford Bagley Medical Center
- Sanford Bemidji Medical Center
- Sanford Thief River Falls Clinic
- Sanford Worthington Clinic
- Sanford Bemidji Main Clinic
- Sanford Bemidji- 1611 Anne St. Clinic
- Sanford Bemidji Blackduck Clinic
- Sanford Bemidji Walker Clinic
- Sanford Bagley Clinic
- Sanford Bagley Clearbrook Clinic
- Sanford Bemidji Cass Lake Clinic
- Sanford Health Kelliher Clinic
- Sanford Health Park Rapids Clinic
About Sanford Health
Sanford Health, one of the largest health systems in the United States, is dedicated to the integrated delivery of health care, genomic medicine, senior care and services, global clinics, research and affordable insurance. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization includes 44 hospitals, 1,400 physicians and more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations in 26 states and nine countries. Nearly $1 billion in gifts from philanthropist Denny Sanford have transformed how Sanford Health improves the human condition. For information, visit sanfordhealth.org.
