‘Disappointing’ turnout for local antibody testing study

ALBANY, Ga. – Since September 16, free antibody testing has been available to Dougherty County residents at the Civic Center downtown. But to city leaders’ dismay, people just aren’t coming out to take part.

“Unfortunately the turnout for the antibody testing, which is free, has been quite disappointing. For policy makers, we need to know how many people in this community were infected to determine the extent to which the virus spread in the community,” says Albany mayor Bo Dorough.

County and city leaders hoped that having people participate in the study would gauge how thousands across the county’s zip codes were impacted by COVID-19. However, only 562 people have done the test.

“331 of those 562 were employees of the Dougherty County School System which means we have only 231 citizens in Dougherty County who have been tested for the antibodies.”

Local medical leaders are urging people to participate in the study since doing so could provide invaluable information.

“Some people have very mild or no symptoms at all and they might not ever know that they were ever exposed unless they have an antibody test done,” says Phoebe’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steven Kitchen.

Additionally, someone with covid-19 antibodies may provide a covid-19 treatment to a person with the virus. Helping them fight the virus with convalescent plasma.

“If you’re looking for an opportunity to give back and help people who are currently infected with COVID-19, one way to do so is to participate in donating plasma.”

Whatever the reason finding out your antibody status may be, the test is free and a phone call away. But time is running out.

To start the registration process, call (706) 721-4905 to schedule your appointment.