The American Red Cross will be testing blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies.  These antibodies can give insight into whether or not they have been exposed to the coronavirus. Blood donations are still very much in need especially as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products. 

Antibody testing determines if the donor’s immune system has produced the antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether or not they developed symptoms.  Donations will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing.  A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. 

COVID-19 antibody test results are available 7-10 days after the test in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. Donation appointments can be made by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.