COVID-19 Antibody Testing To Be Available In Four Utah Cities

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Residents in four Utah cities can sign up for coronavirus antibody testing that begins May 20 as part of a privately administered COVID-19 screening program.

The screenings cost $69.99 and health insurance plans may reimburse for the cost, according to a joint news release from the four sponsoring cities of Bluffdale, Draper, Riverton and Vineyard.

The tests will be available to city residents who believe they may have been exposed or just want to know if they have had COVID-19.

The four mayors released a joint statement, saying, “We believe a central component to beating COVID-19 is to test our residents. We need to know our true infection rate so we can take actions to limit spread, conduct contact tracing and make future data-driven public policy decisions. We invite all our residents to consider being tested for COVID-19 antibodies as we continue to battle this virus.”

Residents must register online at rapidscreen.as.me. Appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. The tests will be done in a drive-thru setting and results will be available within 20 minutes.

Utah-based RapidScreen Solutions, LLC (RSS) will do the finger-stick tests with kits manufactured in the United States from New York-based Chembio, according to the release.

The blood sample will be placed on a testing strip that will detect two different antibodies. The release added a positive result will indicate the likelihood of a current or past COVID-19 infection.

In addition, RSS will randomly administer a saliva-based DNA test to some test subjects. Draper-based Spectrum Solutions manufactures the saliva tests that detect active COVID-19 infection, rather than detecting antibodies.

Any person who tests positive for antibodies will also receive the saliva test to confirm active COVID-19 infection, the release added.

The testing will be conducted in full compliance with FDA and CLIA requirements.

The testing schedule is as follows:

• Wednesday, May 20 – Draper (Galena Hills Park, 12500 South 550 West)
• Thursday, May 21 – Riverton
• Tuesday, May 26 – Draper
• Thursday, May 28 – Bluffdale
• Friday, May 29 – Vineyard

---

Coronavirus Resources

• Have you or a family member been affected by coronavirus issues in Utah? KSL TV wants to hear from you. Contact KSL by emailing social@ksl.com.
• What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
• What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
• Four Common Coronavirus Questions Answered
• The latest coronavirus stories from KSL TV can be found at our Staying Safe: Coronavirus section.
• Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.