Mary Rutan Hospital representatives announced this week that the facility is now offering COVID-19 IgG antibody testing.
A physician order is required, which can be obtained from your primary care provider or a visit to the Mary Rutan Hospital Urgent Care, representatives said.
Specimens are collected by the Mary Rutan Hospital Laboratory at either the hospital campus or Mary Rutan Hospital Urgent Care, and then sent to Quest Diagnostics for testing.
A positive COVID-19 IgG antibody test suggests that a person has had COVID-19. IgG antibodies generally develop 1-3 weeks after infection and remain in the blood for some time after the infection has passed.
Testing positive for COVID-19 IgG antibodies does not necessarily indicate immunity. However, antibody data helps understand who has likely been exposed to the virus.
Tuesday the hospital also updated its testing data, reporting that 18 patients have tested positive for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 since the pandemic arrived locally, according to the statistics available at www.maryrutan.org.
Of the 567 people tested by the hospital, 545 tested negative and four are awaiting results as of Tuesday.
The Logan County Health District’s website, www.loganhealth.org, provides comprehensive daily updates of COVID-19 statistics for the county that incorporates tests that were performed at Mary Rutan Hospital and other locations.
Also on Tuesday, there were a total of 51 cases of the virus reported for Logan County, which includes 27 confirmed cases, 14 probable cases and 10 people who tested positive through the antibody test.
Thirty-six of Logan County individuals have recovered from the illness, and this number incorporates the antibody positive cases.
As summertime begins and outdoor activities abound, Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott encouraged area residents to take the opportunity to pursue those recreational adventures.
“Outdoors is quite safe, especially with even a modicum of social distancing. The air volume and movement rapidly dilute the virus, and ultraviolet light kills it in minutes. Heat also deactivates the virus.”
He also continues to encourage the wearing of a mask or face covering when indoors in close proximity to others.
“Studies have shown that even if 80 percent of the population wear a mask that is only 60 percent efficient, COVID-19 spread will stop. Unfortunately, the one piece of data we desperately need is how much can asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals spread the virus.
“So, let’s get outside, wear masks in crowded indoor spaces out of respect for others, and finally, stay home if we are sick.”
Additional information about regular and antibody testing for COVID-19 can be found online at www.maryrutan.org/coronavirusinfo.