Photo: Dr. Christopher Webb
As the threat of coronavirus continues, testing for the virus is still available at Baxter Regional Medical Center, but an additional procedure will be available in the near future to determine if it’s possible for Twin Lakes Area residents to fight the ailment. The hospital is expected to have testing available for antibodies in the human system.
Baxter Regional Pathologist Dr. Christopher Webb says the antibody test is considerably different from the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for COVID-19.
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Dr. Webb says the antibodies humans have in their immune systems are important to fighting off viruses, including the coronavirus.
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Dr. Webb goes on to say there’s hope the antibody test will be produced on a mass scale, since it’s easier and less complex to perform than the PCR test.
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There’s no timetable as to when Baxter Regional will have the antibody testing available. Dr. Webb says the vendor is in the process of producing the tests.
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