COVID-19 antibody testing is taking place across to New York to identify if a person has ever been exposed to coronavirus.  The Putnam County Health Department cautions that scientists do not yet know if a positive antibody test indicates if a person has immunity against the virus or how long that immunity might last.  The Department added that antibody test results should not be used to make individual decisions about returning to work or changes to social distancing. 

The test does help public health professionals begin to determine how common the virus is in the population. It also allows for the identification of people who are eligible to donate plasma to be used in trials as a potential treatment for COVID-19. 

The New York State Department of Health is conducting a prevalence study through random antibody testing. They will never ask for payment, insurance information or social security number to perform this testing.  Anyone receiving a letter, email or phone call asking for these things, should not give out this information.