Ocasio-Cortez posts experience getting antibody tested for COVID-19

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) shared a video showing her experience being tested for coronavirus antibodies Saturday. 

The video, which was shared on Twitter, shows a health care professional drawing blood from the freshman lawmaker for a sample test. 

“There we go, easy peasy. That was easy,” Ocasio-Cortez says in the video, as the health care professional explains that she will get her results over the phone within nine days.

“Did you know? There are 2 types of COVID tests! The nasal swabtests if you have COVID now. Antibody blood tests check if you already had COVID, even w/ few or no symptoms,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted with the video. 

“I got my antibody test today at First Baptist in Queens w/ our amazing nurses. You can get one too!” she continued.

Did you know?

There are 2 types of COVID tests!

The nasal swabtests if you have COVID now.

Antibody blood testscheck if you already had COVID, even w/ few or no symptoms.

I got my antibody test today at First Baptist in Queens w/ our amazing nurses. You can get one too! pic.twitter.com/2XRyV1vbCU

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 23, 2020

State governments across the country have used viral tests to diagnose and keep track of positive cases of COVID-19. They can be taken by nose swab or saliva sample. However, antibody tests, which are also known as serology tests, allow medical providers to examine a person’s blood to see if someone has previously been exposed the virus and their immune system created antibodies to combat it. 

New York, which has long been the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, has implemented robust antibody testing programs. 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) confirmed this week that antibody testing surveys at churches in New York City in low-income communities and communities of color show that 27 percent of individuals tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, compared to nearly 20 percent of New York City’s overall population.