UNITED INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES, INC. NEWS RELEASE
Date: May 6, 2020
To Be Released: Immediately
Released by: United Indian Health Services
Contact Person: John R Reeves, Ill,
Chief Executive Officer
(707) 825-5000
NEWS RELEASE
United Indian Health Services is now Offering Antibody Testing for COVID-19
With our recent laboratory expansion, United Indian Health Services, Inc. (UIHS) is now offering testing for the lgG antibodies for COVID-19. We are excited to extend this opportunity to participate in gathering data about this virus and to fmd out more about its impact on our community. This blood test is available to all UIHS clients, Tribal partners, community healthcare organizations, and first responders. UIHS will be providing this testing opportunity to both Native and non-Native organizations. The accuracy of this test is 99.1%.
Antibodies are proteins that your body develops in response to an infection, such as a virus. Antibodies help a person fight off an infection if they are exposed again. These antibodies are usually detected I 0-14 days after a person has had an infection, and in some cases it can take 3 weeks for the antibodies to show up. Because this virus is so new, immunity determinations are yet to be substantiated and we do not know if the presence of antibodies in a person's system means that the person is immune to COVID-19. This is not a test for those who think they may currently be ill with COVID-19. The purpose of this test is to gather information about the virus spread in our community.
If you are a UIHS Client and wot1ld like an antibody test, please contact your local UIHS clinic to make an appointment with a provider. The provider will review information with you and order your test if appropriate. The fastest and easiest way to see your provider for a test is through our Telehealth Service.
If you are a Tribal Partner, health care organization or first responder, contact David Rosen, Chief Financial Officer at david.rosen@uihs.org. UIHS representatives will then work with your organization to set up a time and place to collect specimens for the testing, as well as establishing the process for sharing the results with your organization. For those healthcare organizations with the capacity to draw their own samples, we will work with you on the logistics.
If you have any questions, please contact John R Reeves ill, Chief Executive Officer, jolm.reeves@uihs.org or his assistant Serena Brooks by either email serena.brool<s@uihs.org or phone (707) 825-5000.