Baton Rouge General Tests Show 4.5% Positive for COVID Antibodies

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Baton Rouge General (BRG) has performed more than 1,500 antibody tests over the past 4 weeks and, as of today, 4.5% of those tests came back positive. A positive test indicates that a person was likely infected with COVID-19 and that their body has produced antibodies, specific proteins which are made in response to infections.

The results also showed:

• While African Americans made up only 5% of test takers, 17% of positive results came from African American patients.
• Only one positive test was from a person under 20 years old.
• Half of BRG’s positive tests have come from people between the ages of 40-59.
• Women are more likely to get tested than men, but they test positive at the same rate.

There are many different types of antibody tests available, but BRG is using the COR2G serology test developed by Mayo Clinic, which yields a 98.6% specificity (ability of the test to correctly identify those with antibodies). The samples are sent to the Mayo Clinic Laboratory to analyze for the presence of antibodies. See illustration. Mayo Clinic’s test specifically detects antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

BRG began offering the tests in late April and now offers antibody testing at most of its primary care and urgent care clinics.

Antibody testing is most useful for people who experienced symptoms of COVID-19. Antibodies develop between eight and 14 days after the onset of symptoms, so it’s best to wait at least 10 days after initial symptom onset or 10 days after a known exposure to COVID-19 to be tested for the most accurate result.

For more information on BRG’s antibody testing, click here.

About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with 588 licensed beds between two campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General serves as an affiliate of Tulane University School of Medicine, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program, Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter at @BRGeneral.

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