Protocol for the present serology antibody tests in AlbertaTHis is the information on AHS website pertaining to the use of serology tests in Alberta. Keep in mind these test are not the same as PMN/BC Immuneology test.
Blood Test for COVID-19 (serology test)
As of July 2, 2020, serology testing for COVID-19 is available primarily for assessing the number of people in Alberta that have of antibodies to COVID-19 and for research use. It will not be available for the general public.
Serology testing is done to determine whether you have had COVID-19 in the past, and now have antibodies against the virus.
- Serology testing can only be completed if it is requested by your doctor.
- It requires a blood test to determine whether you have developed antibodies against the COVID-19 virus.
- Our immune system produces antibodies, proteins that are critical for fighting and clearing out the infections. It takes about 1 to 3 weeks after infection for your body to make antibodies.
- Antibodies are disease specific; so if COVID-19 antibodies are detected in your blood, we know that you have been infected with COVID-19 at some point in the past.
- In specific situations the serological test may be used to assist with treatment decisions. This would only be done if requested by a physician.
- Serology testing will not be used for diagnosing a current COVID-19 infection.
A positive serology does NOT mean a patient is immune to COVID-19. At this time, there is a lack of evidence on whether having antibodies to COVID-19 means you are protected against reinfection with COVID-19 and if so, how long that protection would last. Ongoing studies will help reveal more information to answer these questions.
If You Have a Positive Blood Test Result
- If you have a positive antibody test result this means you have developed antibodies to a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.
- There is a chance that a positive test result means you have antibodies from an infection with a virus from the same family of viruses (called coronaviruses), such as the one that causes the common cold.
- We do not know how much protection the antibodies may provide or how long this protection may last.
- It does not mean you are immune to reinfection with COVID-19.
- You should continue to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 since you could get infected with the virus again. This means to continue to practice physical distancing, good hand hygiene, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Talk to your health care provider about your test results.
If You Have a Negative Blood Test Result
- If you have a negative antibody test result this means you do not have antibodies to COVID-19 from a past infection.
- Some people may take longer to develop antibodies and some people may not ever develop antibodies.
- Talk to your health care provider about your test results.
- You should continue to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 since you could get infected with the virus. This means to continue to practice physical distancing, good hand hygiene, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- It is possible to have a negative serology test and a positive PCR test if you are currently infected with COVID-19. In this situation, you must follow the guidance as above for people with a positive PCR result.