Beaver County

What’s it like to get a COVID-19 antibody test? Channel 11′s Renee Wallace describes her experience

BEAVER COUNTY, Pa. — In early March, Channel 11 reporter Renee Wallace said she came down with a set of symptoms so bad -- fever, chills and headache -- that she ended up in the emergency room in Beaver County.

She said she didn’t meet the coronavirus testing criteria at the time, so doctors could not test her.

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Quest diagnostics is now offering consumer initiated antibody testing at locations in our area. The location that Renee went to was in Beaver.

Her goal was to find out if she had been exposed to COVID-19, and as a result, developed antibodies which could be found in her blood.

Renee’s first step was to visit company’s website at GetQuestTest.com.

There, you will take “brief questionnaire“prequalifying you for the tests

You must be “symptom free for past 10 days.“

You’ll also need an “order from your doctor."

During your visit you must wear a mask and pass a contactless temperature check.

Renee’s test took about 10 minutes start to finish. She said her veins aren’t typical so they drew blood from her hand -- most of the time they use your arm.

Officials at Quest say once you take the test it’s reviewed by a physician and results are available within three to four days -- sometimes sooner.

Renee was told she may get herresults back even earlier in one or two days.

The total cost with tax was $129.30.