TOLEDO, Ohio — Lucas County is taking steps to stop the spread of the coronavirus, targeting the men and women on the front lines. Antibody testing for COVID-19 is now available for law enforcement, fire and EMS workers through a partnership with Mercy Health.
"This project will focus on first responders because this group is at a high risk for exposure to the virus. The project is voluntary and only those who are willing will be tested," said Dr. Kevin Casey, Clinical Officer with Mercy Health.
Right now there are two different types of coronavirus tests, antibody and PCR (or swab) tests. The county has seen about 12,000 people swabbed, but that only has the best results for people showing symptoms.
Antibody tests reveal if someone has already had or been exposed to the virus.
"The antibody testing is a little different again you've already went through the disease progression, so you could've been asymptomatic and that's when you want to find out if you had it or not. I was tested and I was negative," said Dr. Eric Zgodzinski, Toledo Lucas County Health Commissioner.
Medical officers continue to stress more testing, especially antibody testing, will help researchers understand coronavirus. Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz expressed how proud he is that Toledo is in line with major cities, like New York City, to offer this type of testing for first responders.
Toledo Fire Chief Brian Byrd is eager to get a grasp on how this virus as impacted his crews over the past few months.
"There's all these unknown's, are people symptomatic? Are they asymptomatic? Did they test positive? Did they not test positive? We're they sick at all? So this gives us some information" said Chief Byrd.
Antibody tests for first responders are available starting today through the Lucas County Health and Wellness center.