I have been getting a lot of questions about testing. There have been some new developments in SARS-COV2 testing around Arizona and nationally. Currently there are two different ways to be tested:
#1) The first is for an active infection to see if you have COVID-19
#2) The second is for a past infection to see if you have developed antibodies to COVID-19
SARS-COV-2 – Testing Blitz in Arizona
Arizonans who believe they have been exposed or infected by COVID-19 are able to get tested on the weekends in May. The state-wide testing blitz aims to test 10,000 people per day, and will continue for the next two Saturdays, as well.
One of the critical facets of the re-opening of our community is ensuring there is available testing. We must be sure to maintain these widespread testing capabilities to keep a healthy workforce.
Click the photo below to learn more and find a testing site near you:
Register today at
Coronavirus COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Antibody IgG
Testing for IgG antibodies indicates past exposure.
The vast majority of antibody tests being offered have not yet received FDA approval. Commercial laboratories are acknowledging this on their websites.
For people interested in antibody testing… we are recommending that people call their primary care doctors office. Many primary care offices have re-opened this week specifically to run antibody testing.
This testing provides those interested patients with the peace of mind that comes with knowing whether or not they have been exposed and had mild or no symptoms and are currently non-symptomatic.
Detection of IgG antibodies may indicate exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Testing is recommended at least 14 days after potential exposure or onset of symptoms, to allow for the development of IgG antibodies.
The IgG antibody test option provides insight into an individual’s immune response and recent exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
This is not intended for diagnosis of active infection.
It is for patients who have no current COVID-19 symptoms for at least 14 days. Symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat, loss of smell and taste, body aches, headache, chills, or chills with body shaking.
If you suspect you have had these symptoms, you must wait at least 14 days before doing the antibody testing as results will not be accurate. Antibody testing is run through LabCorp and Sonora Quest. Results take up to 5 days to return.
There are growing reports of false positives and false negatives from practitioners deploying antibody testing.
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians is advising Naturopathic Doctors to inform all patients that antibody testing remains questionably accurate.
Antibody testing should in no way change behavior in terms of social distancing and adherence to public health guidelines. The potential for inaccurate results should be weighed against the cost to the patient of administering the test.
Should you decide to go to your doctor’s office or to a blood draw facility please practice all public health recommendations for personal protective equipment.
Wishing you Well,
Dr. Purcell
(Catch up on my bi-weekly COVID-19 posts HERE)
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