Massachusetts lab testing thousands of people including RI for antibody

While Governor Raimondo said the state is exploring options for antibody testing to get an overall sense of community spread, one company in Massachusetts is already testing thousands of people, including some in Rhode Island.

KBMO Diogostics was a food sensitivity company based in Hopedale Massachusettes up until 4 weeks now.  Now they became an antibody testing lab for COVID-19.

James White, the CEO, said the antibody test can help determine if you have had COVID-19 and which stage you are at.

“We measure 2 things IGM a good way to know if you’re in the active phase or do you have IGG which is the convalescent phase,” White said.

White said if you have the antibody you are more likely to be immune to the virus, which can provide peace of mind for many until there is a vaccine.

“Everyone’s nervous right now whether have they got it or did they have it, are they doing enough to prepare themselves in case they did get it,” White said.

KBMO is not FDA approved but White said they have submitted to get clearance.

However, White said they have tested over 3,000 people around the country already.

“New York’s been the highest when we look at positivity rate but were working all around including Colorado, Arizona, obviously Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.”

To get a test through KBMO, you have to go to your primary care physician and they will register you through the website.

It’s $150 including shipping of the kit to the patient and back to the lab.

You can either get tested at your physician or due to many being closed,  White said they can arrange a phlebotomist to come right to your home.

KBMO has 6,000 phlebotomists around the world, according to White.

There is a 24 to 48-hour turn around time for results.

White understands it’s an expensive option but it is providing a solution for pepper who think they may have had the virus, especially before widespread testing was available.

“You have a lot of people January onwards believe they have this disease or symptoms of the infection. and the reality is I’m talking to clinicians all around the US and they say they’ve seen this early as December of last year.”