After a successful trial run on Thursday, the City of Paris will open up COVID-19 antibody testing you the public beginning April 28.
From Mayor Steve Clifford
We performed a limited trial run of our drive-through COVID-19 antibody testing site on Thursday. This was a success, and we are now going to open the testing facility to the public from 5:30 until 7:30 on April 28th, 29th, and 30th.
We now have a little more experience with our antibody test, and I am able to make some recommendations as to who might benefit from this test. I do not believe that the test will be of much value for anyone who has no symptoms and has no history of symptoms in the last three months. I would strongly discourage you from having this test if you fall into that category. If, however, you had an illness more than 2 weeks ago and completely recovered from it and you think that it might have been COVID-19, the test could be of considerable value. It will show whether or not you have antibodies which would indicate whether or not you actually had the disease. If you currently have symptoms and have had them for more than 3 days, the test also could be of value as your body has probably had time to develop the antibodies that we are testing for. The other main test for COVID-19 is the PCR test (which we are not performing). This is the preferred test for diagnosing a patient with a recent infection and with recent onset of symptoms.
Only 30 people will be tested per hour. Thus, a total of approximately 180 people will be tested during these three days. Registration for the testing will be from 9 am until 1pm on Monday, April 27th. You may register online or by telephone during those hours only. You will fill out a questionnaire asking about any symptoms that you have. You will select your testing date and time. Then you will submit payment of $25 by credit card or PayPal. I anticipate that these test slots will fill very rapidly. It is likely that all of the slots will be filled within the first hour or two of registration. When all slots are filled for the week, neither the online site nor the call center will accept any more registrations. If there are slots that are not filled, registration will again be available on April 28th and 29th from 9 am until 1 pm on both days. Depending on the response and results from the first week of testing, additional testing dates may be announced. Here is the link to the online registration site:
www.paristexas.gov/covidtesting
Again, this will not accept registrations until 9:00 Monday morning. The phone number for the call center is 903-784-6688 ext. 501. This is the general phone number for the Paris Police Department. This extension will only be answered starting at 9:00 Monday morning.
On the day and hour of your appointment, enter the east entrance to Justiss Elementary School by driving south on 18th street NW and turning right into the parking lot. You must wear a mask while in the testing center at all times. You will need to show your ID to the person at the entrance. It will not be necessary to lower your window. Simply hold your ID against the window so that the greeter can read it through the glass. You will not be allowed to enter unless you have an appointment and have prepaid for the test. Absolutely no payments will be accepted at the testing site. If you have a valid appointment, a card will be placed under your windshield wiper. You will then drive forward to the next station. The card will be removed from your windshield, and you will be asked to lower your window and extend your hand. Do NOT get out of your car. A healthcare professional will perform a finger stick and will obtain a drop of your blood. You will then raise your window and drive out the west entrance to the parking lot. You will receive a telephone call with your results within 24 hours and likely much sooner.
If your test is negative, this means that your body has not made any antibodies to COVID-19 and you have no immunity to the virus. A negative test generally means that you are not currently infected with the virus, and you have likely never been infected with the virus. It is important to understand that if you have been exposed to the virus and are infected, it takes your body from 7 to 10 days to develop antibodies to fight the virus. We are testing only for the presence of these antibodies, not the virus itself. So for example, if you became infected with COVID-19 six days before you got the test, the result would be negative even though you were actually infected. So if you have been recently exposed to the virus and want to get tested, wait at least 7 days before getting tested or the test might not be accurate.
If your test is positive for IgM, this means that you have been infected with the virus fairly recently, and you may be exposing others to the infection. You will likely be placed in quarantine for 14 days, and additional testing with a PCR test may be recommended. A healthcare provider will discuss this with you and give you instructions and advice.
If your test is positive for IgG, this means that you have probably been infected with the virus a few weeks or even a few months ago. Your body has fought off the infection, and you have likely completely recovered from it. You probably have some level of immunity to future infections. But no one knows how long this immunity will last or whether it would be possible for you to get the infection again. A healthcare professional will discuss your findings with you and give you appropriate recommendations.
This is only a test, and it does not treat or cure any disease. If you are having symptoms and are worried that you might have contracted COVID-19, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately.
The testing site will carry no risk whatsoever of transmitting the virus. The school doors will remain locked during any testing, and no one will be permitted to enter the school. A porta potty will be set up for the staff. No one who is being tested will be allowed to leave their cars. Medical staff will be wearing protective gear as appropriate. Only a drop of blood is obtained rather than the more infectious nasal secretions. Finally, when the testing is finished for the day, the entire area will be completely sanitized by the fire department with twice the amount of sanitation that is normally used. With all of these precautions, there should be no danger to anyone in the school.
