UPMC To Give Coronavirus Antibody Tests To All Patients Coming In For Procedures
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - All patients coming into UPMC for procedures and surgeries will soon be tested for coronavirus antibodies.
Dr. Donald Yealy of UPMC says this test will allow people to tell if they've been exposed to COVID-19 and have produced antibodies.
The CDC says these tests check your blood by looking for antibodies, which show if you had a previous infection. Antibodies are proteins that help fight off infections, the CDC says.
At this time, the CDC says it's unclear if these antibody tests provide immunity, but Dr. Yealy says it's something they hope to learn in the coming weeks.
UPMC announced last week that it would start administering coronavirus tests to patients coming in for procedures and surgeries, regardless if they're asymptomatic.
The antibody testing announcement comes as the state department of health eased restrictions on hospitals earlier this week, giving them the go-ahead to resume elective surgeries that were on hold during the coronavirus pandemic.
More information on the Coronavirus pandemic:
- CDC Coronavirus Information
- CDC Global Map of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
- Pennsylvania Department of Health Information
- Allegheny County Health Department Information
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing news.