COVID-19 ANTIBODY TEST SCHEDULING RESUMES WITH ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

ERIE COUNTY, NY – Scheduling for COVID-19 antibody test appointments has resumed for Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) clinics taking place in June.          

Appointments will be available in half-hour increments from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sites will rotate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at locations through Erie County. For the next two week period, those locations are Buffalo, North Buffalo, Orchard Park, Springville and Williamsville.

ECDOH will schedule appointments for Erie County residents ages 11 and older through its COVID-19 Information Line at (716) 858-2929. Antibody tests for COVID-19 should be done at least 21 days after onset of any COVID-19 symptoms. Those symptoms may include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.

The antibody test conducted by the Erie County Public Health Lab requires a blood draw from the arm. Appointments are required and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. These tests are provided at no cost to Erie County residents. To maintain physical distancing within each test site, only individuals who have a scheduled appointment and their parent or guardian, if under 18 years old, will be allowed into the testing area. Anyone entering the testing site will be required to wear a cloth face covering or other appropriate mask.

Antibody test results will be mailed within 7-10 days, and anyone who receives an antibody test through ECDOH is encouraged to speak to their health care provider about their results. Parents should discuss with their child’s pediatrician if they are interested in their child under 11 years getting tested for COVID-19 antibodies.

Diagnostic COVID-19 tests where a nasal swab is collected continue to be offered through ECDOH by calling (716) 858-2929. Diagnostic tests are available at this time for individuals who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 or if they feel they are at risk. A searchable online map of diagnostic test locations in Erie County is at www.erie.gov/covidtestsites.