JACKSON, Wyo. — A new Jackson-based nonprofit, Test Teton Now (TTN), will begin offering COVID-19 antibody testing to Teton County residents and employees.
TTN acquired 10,000 COVID-19 antibody tests that can test between 8,000-9,000 people. TTN is working with Extherid Biosciences, LLC to conduct testing, which is in turn working with other private and university-based laboratories across the country on COVID-19 antibody testing.
Antibody tests cannot diagnose COVID-19, they can merely determine whether a person’s body has developed antibodies to the virus. “The presence or absence of COVID-19 antibodies does not mean an individual does not have COVID-19,” TTN said in a press release. “It does not mean an individual cannot pass the disease to others, and it does not mean an individual is immune from COVID-19.”
St. John’s Health CEO Paul Beaupré echoed that antibody test results should not alter behavior because they do not guarantee immunity and, especially in the early phases of such testing, false positives and negatives are possible.
“You can spend your money anywhere you see fit,” Beupré said at the community update Friday afternoon. “If you decide to get an antibody test right now, please do not make any individual decisions about how you are going to behave based on the fact that you may have antibodies in your bloodstream.”
Antibody testing is meant to build a broader understanding of the prevalence of COVID-19. This information could be useful in determining how and when to re-open businesses and other services. Teton County Health Department Director Jodie Pond said TTN has offered to share results with the Health Department.
Testing will be available to adults 18 or older in participating private clinics starting April 30. According to TTN’s website, clinics will not charge but suggest a $75 donation.
There are currently three FDA-approved antibody tests on the market.
