Ventura County works toward obtaining COVID-19 antibody tests

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the County of Ventura said it has been actively working with community partners to obtain antibody tests for the area.

The county said there is a race throughout the nation to acquire point-of-care COVID-19 antibody tests. This antibody testing, which is also called serologic testing or immunity testing, can reportedly reveal whether a person’s immune system has already created a response to the coronavirus.

“We are eager to get a reliable antibody test to know if large numbers of community residents previously had the virus,” said Doctor Robert Levin, Public Health Officer. “Antibody tests can reveal who is immune to a disease, but they can also determine how widely it has spread and how deadly it is. When tests are found to be effective and reliable, they will be more widely available and utilized in the County reopening efforts.”

The county said there are currently two types of COVID-19 tests, a nasal swab which is already available in Ventura County and an antibody blood test.

The County of Ventura, Office of the CEO, Public Health Officer, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Ventura County Medical Center Leadership, Ventura County Office of Emergency Services, Dr. Fearn with 11 Health &
Technologies, the Economic Development Collaborative, Women’s Economic Venture, Haas Automation, Inc, Alaska Airlines, Angel Flight, Aera Energy, Amgen, and many others have been working in partnership to bring these needed tests to Ventura County.

For updates and information about Ventura County's response to COVID-19, please visit www.vcemergency.com.