Marsh Regional Offers Free COVID-19 Antibody Test With Blood Donation | News

From July 20th, the Marsh Regional Blood Center will offer free COVID-19 antibody testing to blood donors as Ballad Health seeks to understand the full spread of the novel coronavirus in the community.

In a statement, Marsh Regional Director Don Campbell said, “Because our knowledge of COVID-19 is changing day by day, we will do our best to find out about its spread and the number of people really affected. Must be done.” ..

“Currently, the estimated number of people who are completely asymptomatic and afflicted with COVID-19 varies widely, so sampling the members of the antibody community has helped to determine the number of people infected and the pandemic. Will be able to more accurately measure the extent of the spread, which will help us to fight continuous reach.”

Back in April, Dr. Bill Brock, dean of the Killen School of Medicine at East Tennessee State University, said antibody testing is important in the future.

“Knowing the level of community infection through antibody testing and knowing who is mildly infected and did not seek care or had no symptoms are important to know where this is. Ill.” Brock said.

Testing initiatives will help the center to collect much needed blood as well. This test is available to eligible donors who have successfully completed prescreening and does not show a current COVID-19 infection, but it may show a previous one.

Experts, including doctors from the World Health Organization, estimate that more than a quarter of those with COVID-19 are mild or asymptomatic. If positive, donors are asked if they would provide convalescent plasma to help treat more severely ill patients.

Ballard Health is conducting a national survey in partnership with the Mayo Clinic, and local convalescent plasma donors are critical to its success. The results will be mailed to the donor within about two weeks. Marsh Regional reaches out to donors with positive antibodies.

The COVID-19 antibody test is available to donors donating to Marsh Regional collection centers and public blood donations. The following community blood drives will be held:

• Monday, July 20th 12-6 pm Morgan Memorial United Methodist Church, Rosehill, Virginia
• Tuesday 21 July 1pm-6pm Valley View Free Will Baptist Church in Clintwood, Virginia
• Tuesday, July 21, 10am-2pm CVA Heart Institute, Kingsport, TN
• Tuesday 21 July, 1:30-5 pm UPM Pharmaceuticals, Bristol, TN
• Wednesday, July 22, 11am-3pm, Sapling Grove Urgent Care, Bristol, TN
• Wednesday 22nd July, 1-6:30 pm St. Anne Catholic Church in Bristol, Virginia
• Wednesday, July 22, 4pm-8pm. Ridgeview Baptist Church in Church Hill, Tennessee
• Wednesday, July 22, 4:30-8 pm, South Hulston Ruritan, Bristol, TN
• Thursday 23rd July, 9am to noon, Micro Porous, Piney Flats
• Thursday, July 23, 1:30 pm-4 pm, Marion Mold & Tool Inc., Marion, Virginia
• Thursday 23rd July, 1-5pm, Wolf Hills Producer and Komatsu Mining Corporation, Abingdon, Virginia
• Friday, July 24th, 8am-1pm The Robinette Company, Bristol, TN
• Friday 24 July, noon-5 pm, Calvary Church in Johnson City
• Saturday, July 25, 10am-4pm Washington County Historical Society (sponsored by the Abingdon Rotary Club), Abingdon, Virginia

In addition to the planned blood donations, donors are welcome at the Marsh Regional Collection Center. 111W. Stone Drive, Suite 300, Kingsport; 2428 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City; and 1996 W. State St., Bristol. Reservations are required before donating blood at a blood center — donors must call or visit (423) 408-7500, (423) 652-0014 or (423) 282-7090 www.marshblood.com Learn more about appointments or schedule a blood donation at a local company, church, school, or community organization. Frequent blood donation reservations are available on the day.