FastMed Now Offers Patients Rapid COVID-19 Antibody Testing


Many patients may be reassured or take comfort in the knowledge that they likely have some degree of protection against a potentially severe illness.

FastMed, one of the nation’s largest urgent care providers, now offers rapid antibody testing at all its 105 clinics across Arizona, North Carolina and Texas. The finger-prick blood test will detect whether a patient has developed antibodies to the virus causing COVID-19 from vaccination or previous COVID-19 infection. Patients will receive results within an hour, whereas other antibody results could take up to several days.

“The COVID-19 antibody test offered at FastMed detects both nucleocapsid as well as spike protein antibodies and can determine antibody response both to infection and vaccination,” said Lane Tassin, M.D., co-chief medical officer at FastMed. “Many patients may be reassured or take comfort in the knowledge that they likely have some degree of protection against a potentially severe illness.”

FastMed anticipates that a large percentage of antibody tests will be requested by patients who want to know if they previously had COVID-19 and/or are curious if they developed antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 as an effective response to their vaccine. It is important to note that health officials do not know what extent or how long a person with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is protected from reinfection.

In addition to now offering the rapid antibody test, FastMed continues to offer a variety of COVID-19 diagnostic tests to meet patients’ different needs. These diagnostic tests can determine whether you currently have COVID-19, and can be a useful tool when traveling or before seeing family and friends. Besides an RT-PCR test where the results are available in a few days, FastMed offers two rapid testing options that produce results while patients are still in its clinics.

All of FastMed’s COVID-19 diagnostic tests are covered by insurance, but self-pay options are also available. To learn more about FastMed’s COVID-19 testing options, visit https://www.fastmed.com/services/coronavirus-testing/. To find a clinic near you, please visit http://www.fastmed.com/.

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About FastMed

FastMed is one of the nation’s largest urgent care providers, with 192 clinics in Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina and Texas. FastMed provides a broad range of acute/ episodic, preventive, and occupational healthcare – in its clinics and via telemedicine – as well as family medicine at selected clinics. FastMed is one of the few urgent care providers in the nation that has earned The Joint Commission’s coveted Gold Seal of Approval® for quality, safety and infection control in ambulatory healthcare. For more information, visit http://www.fastmed.com.

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