COVID-19 immunity testing begins in Brevard County

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BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Omni Healthcare in Melbourne has began COVID-19 immunity testing, which may allow many to resume to some sense of normalcy.

“Knowing that you’re immune gives you peace of mind that you’re not going to get sick, you’re not going to end up on a ventilator,” said Omni Healthcare Medical Director Craig Deligdish.

During the pilot phase of testing, patients will take a finger-stick test and have their blood drawn to check for the presence of antibodies against the coronavirus.

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A positive result indicates that a person has been previously infected and, under most circumstances, would be immune to re-infection from the current strain of the novel coronavirus.

The immunity testing is being done in addition to the drive-thru COVID-19 Omni Healthcare began about two weeks ago.

“The reason a combination of immunity testing and determining whether or not you’re actively infected is so important is, because, no one wants to be transmitting this disease to someone else.”