ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay Introduces LabBased COVID-19 Antibody Test The test marks a step forward in COVID-19 research; reveals whether asymptomatic patients have already been infected, suggesting potential immunity Monterey, CA, April 20, 2020 — ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay, one of more than 100 diagnostic
testing lab franchises across the U.S., has announced a new lab-based COVID-19 antibody test that could change the way people and businesses are reacting to the pandemic, providing a path toward normalcy for Americans. ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay is offering up to 90 appointments per day to members of the public starting April 20th, available via the website labtestmonterey.com. “We won't be able to do the finger-stick version of the antibody test any longer, but we switched to a version of the test that uses a whole tube of blood from the arm, is more accurate and sophisticated, has earlier detection, and is considered by doctors and health professionals to be a big step forward in medical usefulness,” said ARCpoint of Monterey Bay co-owner and lab director Spenser Smith. “This test is a new and improved version that we are rolling out to continue our embrace of the newest testing technologies for COVID-19.” Smith said the downside of the new tests is that it takes longer to perform, can’t be done in a drivethrough setting and is more expensive, at $150 as opposed to the $68.31 cost of the finger-prick test cost. But the arm-draw test is more reliable and sophisticated and has shown to be more accurate than the finger-prick tests, which was rushed into service nationally and has shown to have a high rate of inaccuracy compared to the arm-draw tests. In mid-March, the FDA issued a policy that allowed for manufacturers and laboratories to create, distribute and use rapid serological (antibody) tests without requiring an Emergency Use Authorization to allow more people to have access to tests amid the pandemic. ARCpoint began using point-of-care tests that gave results within 10 minutes, to great success in its franchised locations across the U.S., including the Monterey lab. On or around April 8, however, the FDA added additional clarification to the policy, requiring tests to be performed in high-complexity labs. This new wrinkle led ARCpoint to partner with Access Medical, a high-complexity laboratory, to offer a lab-based serological test as part of its ongoing effort to expand access to the most innovative COVID-19 testing available. The test, which detects SAR-CoV-2 antibodies — specialized immune proteins the body produces in reaction to the COVID-19 virus — may reveal whether or not an asymptomatic individual has already been infected with the virus.