Blood drive, with antibody testing for donors
Community Hospital has blood drives scheduled in Monterey in July and all blood donations will be tested for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
A positive test result generally means you had a past infection with SARS-CoV-2, or possibly a related coronavirus. While that does not mean you are immune to COVID-19, it does mean you may be eligible to donate plasma and help people who are still recovering from coronavirus infection. Eventually, antibody tests and clinical follow-up will provide more information on whether a person who has recovered from COVID-19 is immune to the virus and for how long.
The antibody tests are part of a full panel of tests that Vitalant, Community Hospital’s blood-supply partner, performs on successful blood donations. Donors will receive their results about two weeks after their donation. Please note that the antibody test does not diagnose a current coronavirus infection. People who are ill should not donate; find other donor requirements at www.vitalant.org.
Upcoming blood drives
Hartnell Professional Center, 576 Hartnell Street, Monterey
- Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Monday, July 20, from 2-6 p.m.
Additional blood drives are being held in July Del Rey Oaks.
Register for an appointment at blood4life.org
Information about antibody testing
