Monterey, CA, July 22, 2020 — ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay is now offering two live virus tests and three antibody tests for COVID-19, but which one is the right one for you?

“The different COVID-19 tests available can be divided into two main types, which answer different questions,” said Spenser Smith, lab director at ARCpoint Labs. “Are you more concerned with whether you are potentially infected right now, at the time of testing? Or are you more interested in whether you may have been infected in the past, potentially several weeks or months ago, and have since recovered?

If you are concerned about being infected now, maybe even contagious, then you want a live virus test. These tests detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) by looking for the virus’ molecular signature directly. Typically, these tests use a nasal/oral swab or saliva sample.

If you test positive with a live virus test, you are carrying virus right now and should be assumed to be contagious, even if you are experiencing mild or no symptoms. If you test negative that means no virus was detected, though in some cases a physician’s judgment or further evaluation is needed to understand if your results may be a false negative.

There are two live virus testing methods which differ primarily in accuracy and how long results take to process.

The first is an Antigen Rapid Test, which requires a nasal or other swab, with a 24-hour turnaround time, a 94% true positive rate, 100% true negative rate, no doctor’s order is required, $130.

The second is a PCR NAAT Lab-based test, which also requires a nasal or other swab, with a 2-to-5-day turnaround time, a 99% true positive rate, 100% true negative rate, a doctor’s order is required, $130.

Some people may be more interested in whether they have had COVID-19 at some point in the past. Perhaps they had symptoms weeks ago, but were never able to obtain a live virus test, perhaps they are curious if they may have been an asymptomatic case. Antibody testing is used to screen for past infection by COVID-19.

If you test positive for COVID-19 antibodies, that means you have encountered COVID-19 in the past. In some cases, a positive for IgM or IgA may indicate current infection as well. Though COVID-19 antibodies seem to indicate resistance to future reinfection, individuals who test positive should still follow face covering, hand washing and social distancing guidelines to protect themselves and others. If you test negative for COVID-19 antibodies, you have not likely been exposed to COVID-19 at any time before and should be considered susceptible to infection.

ARCpoint Labs offer three antibody tests to determine past infection. All three require drawing blood.

One, a Qualitative Past Exposure Test, which has a three-to-seven-day turnaround, five-plus weeks recommended time since exposure, positive-negative results only, 100% true positive rate, 99.4% true negative rate, $49.

The second is an IgG only Semiquantitative Test, one-to-four-day turnaround, five-plus weeks recommended time since exposure, semiquantitative value, 100% true positive rate, 99.4% true negative rate, $120.

The third is a Combination Antibody Test (IgG+IgM+IgA), one-to-four-day turnaround, two-plus weeks recommended time since exposure, Semiquantitative value, 100% true positive rate, 99.8% true negative rate, $180.

If you have questions about ARCpoint Labs COVID-19 testing, go to www.labtestmonterey.com or call (831) 324-0772. You always speak directly to a local testing expert at ARCpoint Labs.

ABOUT ARCPOINT LABS
ARCpoint Labs is a full-service national third-party provider and administrator of accurate, reliable, and confidential diagnostic testing for individuals, companies, and legal and healthcare professionals. ARCpoint Labs has been in the drug and alcohol testing business for over 18 years, and our staff has over 60 years of combined industry experience. ARCpoint Labs has over 100 locations across the country with an additional 18 locations slated to open within the next 12 months. For more information on ARCpoint Labs, visit www.arcpointlabs.com.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay is an independently owned ARCpoint Labs business, part of a Greenville, South Carolina-based franchise. The Smith family of Monterey, brothers Spenser and Bryant and their parents Belle and Randy, established the company in 2018.

ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay
24560 Silver Cloud Court, #103 Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 324-0772
Email: [email protected]

Website: www.arcpointlabs.com
COVID-19 Appointments: labtestmonterey.com

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.arcpointlabs.com