( ENSPIRE Community Spotlight ) LA Councilmember Curren Price Joins GUARDaHEART to Host Three-Day Event for No-Cost COVID-19 Antibody Testing
ENSPIRE Contributor: Taylor Groft
Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price, who represents District 9, partnered with GUARDaHEART Foundation this past week to offer a no-cost COVID-19 antibody testing to the South Los Angeles community and surrounding areas. The three-day event took place Oct. 13-15 at Councilmember Price’s District Office on Central Avenue and 43rd Street. There were nearly 600 people that took part in the COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 serology antibody test. This test is covered under the CARES Act and was available at no cost to the community with or without insurance.
Councilmember Price discussed the importance of offering the COVID-19 antibody testing to the local community, as well as other efforts he’s leading to keep South Los Angeles neighbors safe during this public health crisis.
Dr. Douglas S. Harrington, M.D., is a Fellow of the American Society of Preventive Cardiology and the American Society of Clinical Pathology, an expert in laboratory diagnostic testing. Dr. Harrington is also the Chairman of the GUARDaHEART Foundation 501(c)3 and discussed the difference between a COVID-19 swab test vs SARS-CoV-2 serology antibody test, as well as other topics on the SARS-CoV-2 serology antibody test and the correlation of heart disease and the coronavirus.
The SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing provided is one of the most reliable antibody tests available. It has a sensitivity of 100 percent and a specificity of 99.6 percent performance evaluations. This COVID-19 antibody blood test can be used to detect the presence of an IgM & IgG antibody response. A positive result indicates that an individual has been infected with the COVID-19 pathogen and has developed some level of immunity. This test could be a critical next step in battling COVID-19, continuing to flatten the curve and ensuring a safe re-opening of the community.
For more information on future no-cost COVID-19 antibody testing dates and locations, visit GuardaHeart.org or contact Yvette Morales, YM & Associates at (949) 244-9769 or YMoralesY@YM-PR.com.
