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Rapid COVID-19 Testing To Start On Long Island

Jens Meyer
/
AP
A scientist presents an antibody test for coronavirus in a laboratory of the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology in Jena, Germany, Friday. Three urgent care facilities on Long Island have received emergent FDA approval to begin rapid testing.

Nassau County will soon implement rapid tests that will show if a person has coronavirus or the antibodies that could make them immune to the virus.

The rapid tests are in two categories. One checks for the virus, while the other checks for the antibodies, which can take up to a week to develop.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran says results of the tests would help distribute protective gear to first responders and healthcare workers.

“We can make sure that our first responders who work for the county, if they do have the antibodies they won’t need as high level of PPE as the first responders who don’t have the antibodies.”

Curran says these tests need both federal and state approval before the county can use them. 

Three urgent care facilities in Nassau have received emergent approval from the FDA to begin testing.

Read the latest on WSHU’s coronavirus coverage here.

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Jay Shah is a former Long Island bureau chief at WSHU.
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