Individuals must schedule an appointment for the antibody test
The Florida A&M University (FAMU)-Bond Community Health Center Bragg Memorial Stadium COVID-19 Testing is working with local, state, and federal partners to offer COVID-19 antibody testing to the general public beginning Friday, August 7.
This expansion is in response to a Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) initiative, which will enable a greater understanding of the transmission of the virus within the general population.
“Our site continues to be of great service to our community,” said Cynthia Harris, Ph.D., director of the FAMU Institute of Public Health and one of the organizers of the site, which opened in April. “We have now tested more than 30,0000 individuals. The addition of rapid antibody testing, as well as the continued nasal swab diagnostic testing, will provide more clarity on past exposures and address the general concern of the community.”
Antibody testing is preferred for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past or for individuals who believe they have already been infected with COVID-19. It is performed with blood drawn from the arm (not a finger stick), and results are available within 15 minutes.
Individuals must schedule an appointment for the antibody test by calling Leon County Health Department at 850-404-6399. Individuals with a positive antibody test may consider donating plasma to OneBlood donation center to help others battling the illness.
“The Bragg Memorial Stadium walk-up testing site has demonstrated how state and community partners can quickly come together to create a welcoming and efficient, effective venue for COVID-19 testing,” said Leon County Health Officer Claudia Blackburn. “The results of these tests give us valuable information about the symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 infection rate in Leon County.”
Antibody tests will not replace COVID-19 testing. Diagnostic testing will continue at Bragg Stadium. Priority will be given to those who are symptomatic, 65 and older, and children under the age of 18. Diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is available by walking up to the site. The appointment line now will only schedule appointments for antibody testing.
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, aches, tiredness, sore throat, chills, cough, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, loss of smell or taste, and abdominal pain.
The FAMU COVID-19 testing site opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday and remains open until it reaches its 500-test limit, unless closed due to inclement weather. All testing offered at Bragg Stadium is free and no physician referral is required.
The testing site is operated with support from the Florida Department of Health, the Leon County Health Department, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida A&M University.
