The American Red Cross will test all blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies for a limited time.  This testing may provide insight into whether donors have possibly been exposed to the coronavirus and perhaps never developed symptoms. 

     The American Red Cross is not testing to diagnose current COVID-19 illness.

     An antibody test screens for antibodies in the blood.  Antibodies form when the body fights an infection.

     The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the COVID-19 antibody test, and results will be available in about seven to ten days after donating blood.  The results can be found by creating and logging in to the Blood Donor App or online.

     Results are the following:

     POSITIVE meaning an individual may have had previous exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19, and their body had developed specific antibodies to the virus.

     NEGATIVE meaning an individual has not been exposed to COVID-19 and therefore has not developed antibodies to the virus.

     NOT AVAILABLE meaning test results are not yet available, or donation was not tested.

     For additional information or to make an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org.