Patient First Offering COVID-19 Antibody Tests In Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Patient First is now offering COVID-19 antibody testing at its medical centers in Fredericksburg and Stafford County on a walk-in basis, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day of the week. Appointments are not needed for antibody testing.

The antibody test is used to determine if someone previously had COVID-19 and not to diagnose an active infection. Antibody testing is for patients who believe they may have had COVID-19 in the past and who are not currently experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus.

The Patient First center in Fredericksburg is located 3031 Plank Road. The Stafford County center is located in Garrisonville at 60 Prosperity Lane.

Patient First said it recommends being tested at least 14 days after the onset of symptoms of the coronavirus, or 14 days after possible exposure, as it may take as long as two weeks for antibodies to develop.

The COVID-19 antibody test used at Patient First tests to see if the blood has antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes COVID-19. Antibodies may be found in the blood when the body is responding or has responded to an infection, such as COVID-19.

Antibodies may give full or partial immunity to the virus to which they develop. However, it is not known at this time how long the body will have antibodies or whether they actually give immunity to future infections from this virus.

Blood samples are sent to a third-party reference lab for antibody testing. Results will generally be available in about two to five days. Patients who agree to do so will receive their result via text message. Otherwise, patients will be contacted by phone about the result.

For insured patients, the visit will be submitted to patients' insurance plans. Patient First accepts all major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. The lab will determine what, if anything, it bills the patient.

For those with symptoms of the coronavirus, or who wish to determine if they have an active infection, Patient First also offers drive-up coronavirus active virus testing at designated centers by appointment.