WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.505 >>There's a new option for Hoosiers who think they may have been previously infected with COVID-19. 2 00:00:05.505 --> 00:00:12.645 Kroger Health will soon launch rapid antibody testing at its chain of pharmacies, expanding in-clinic and at home COVID-19 3 00:00:12.645 --> 00:00:20.620 diagnostic tests. Cincinnati-based Kroger will be the first retailer in the U-S to offer rapid antibody testing to 4 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:28.328 customers. The 15-minute finger prick test looks for antibodies that show the person was previously 5 00:00:28.328 --> 00:00:38.071 infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Business of Health reporter Kylie Veleta has more... 6 00:00:38.071 --> 00:00:40.840 Kylie >>>Kroger says Hoosiers will be able to get the antibody test at any Kroger in Indiana around the 7 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:46.846 end of November. Another interesting piece of this is the low cost of the test, only 25-dollars. 8 00:00:46.846 --> 00:00:52.385 Earlier antibody tests offered to the public had to be sent to a lab and were much more expensive. 9 00:00:52.385 --> 00:00:57.590 Tammy Sarmiento is the Regional Clinical Director in Indianapolis for Kroger Health. She joins me now to tell us more 10 00:00:57.590 --> 00:01:05.765 about the tests...coming soon to Indiana. >> Tammy, thank you for being on the show today. 11 00:01:05.765 --> 00:01:12.005 >> My pleasure. Thank you for having me. >> Kroger is the first U.S. retailer to have these rapid 12 00:01:12.005 --> 00:01:18.144 tests. Why did Kroger want to make these inexpensive tests so widely available? 13 00:01:18.144 --> 00:01:25.752 >> Absolutely so throughout the endemic Kroger and Kroger health has remained committed to helping our communities live 14 00:01:25.752 --> 00:01:34.928 healthier lives and to help simplify healthcare by bringing at home COVID testing as well as in clinic testing for those 15 00:01:34.928 --> 00:01:44.537 individuals and now we've added the rapid antibody testing to that scope of service and all of our clinics and we will be 16 00:01:44.537 --> 00:01:53.980 rolling that out to all of our family of pharmacies by the end of November. >> This test really is for 17 00:01:53.980 --> 00:02:02.589 anyone even if they are curious if they've had COVID-19 but it's also important to mention it's not 100 percent accurate so what 18 00:02:02.589 --> 00:02:08.962 are some disclaimers, so to speak that we need to know what this test? >> Absolutely. 19 00:02:08.962 --> 00:02:18.771 This test is set up so back when this pandemic started as you recall many of us had an illness that no one could really explain 20 00:02:18.771 --> 00:02:29.282 and the test was negative and we were sick at times and, so for those individuals who think I am almost positive I've had COVID 21 00:02:29.282 --> 00:02:39.926 this is the test for them. This test would a positive result would indicate that the patient or individual has had 22 00:02:39.926 --> 00:02:50.203 COVID in the past and their body has formed some sort of antibody response to that. If the test is negative on the 23 00:02:50.203 --> 00:03:01.548 other hand, that would indicate they have not been infected with COVID and/or that they may be in that lifecycle of the acute 24 00:03:01.548 --> 00:03:10.356 Steve and the body hasn't developed antibodies to COVID at that point so it takes the body 1-3 weeks to build antibodies 25 00:03:10.356 --> 00:03:20.266 and so the timing of that test for someone who is asymptomatic and take the test what could possibly still be infected 26 00:03:20.266 --> 00:03:26.472 currently with the virus that's where that disclaimer comes in there. The test we are using that's 27 00:03:26.472 --> 00:03:36.482 brought to us by our sure tech research has shown its 98 percent accurate and just as good if not better and reliable 28 00:03:36.482 --> 00:03:45.725 than that we sent out to a lab. >> Okay, and I know scientists are saying we still don't know if you have 100 percent immunity 29 00:03:45.725 --> 00:03:52.532 once you've had COVID-19. >> Absolutely. >> It's a quick and simple test we've been showing video of it a 30 00:03:52.532 --> 00:04:00.139 finger. And it almost looks like a blood sugar test like just loaded into a cartridge can you tell us the 31 00:04:00.139 --> 00:04:08.514 process? >> Abslutely the individual come into the clinic and professionals will clean the 32 00:04:08.514 --> 00:04:18.558 fingertip using a Lancet much like that used for blood sugar check and. The finger in a small amount of 33 00:04:18.558 --> 00:04:28.368 blood is loaded and it takes 15 minutes to earn that, so from start to 15 minutes the individual will know if they've 34 00:04:28.368 --> 00:04:36.776 had antibodies in the past. >> We want to make sure folks know once this test is available you will have to make an 35 00:04:36.776 --> 00:04:43.349 appointment to be tested. Available at the end of November and what are you expecting the response to be like? 36 00:04:43.349 --> 00:04:57.597 >> We have had right now in our clinics are at Indiana we have had a significant interest and demand in individuals and 37 00:04:57.597 --> 00:05:09.142 communities seeking the rapid antibody testing and we anticipate that will increase as we roll that out to all of our 38 00:05:09.142 --> 00:05:18.518 Kroger and family of pharmacies throughout central Indiana. >> Just a few seconds left, but I know you are excited about 39 00:05:18.518 --> 00:05:26.526 rapid COVID testing coming soon. Can you give us a quick snippet on that. >> Kroger health will be rolling 40 00:05:26.526 --> 00:05:36.936 out a rapid antigen test that will be done point of care so what that means is similar to the PCR test that's offered now 41 00:05:36.936 --> 00:05:45.011 across the country this will be a rapid test and you will know your results within 15-20 minutes and, again, it's offered 42 00:05:45.011 --> 00:05:54.754 -- will be offered by the end of November and all of our clinics across the state and nation and all of our pharmacies we are 43 00:05:54.754 --> 00:06:00.593 anticipated the roll out after first of the year. >> It sounds like you've been busy.