Pottstown Patient First Now Offering Antibody Testing

POTTSTOWN, PA — Coronavirus antibody testing is now available at all Patient First medical care centers around the region, including at the Pottstown Urgent Care.

The tests are available on a walk-up basis, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. No appointments are needed.

The antibody test is used to determine if someone previously had COVID-19 and not to diagnose an active infection. Antibodies may give full or partial immunity to the coronavirus but it's unknown whether they actually give immunity.

Patients are eligible to receive the test at Patient First if they believe they may have had coronavirus already or if they're experiencing symptoms. Anyone age 5 and older may receive the tests.

Patient First recommends waiting at least 14 days after symptoms begin to be tested, as it can take up to two weeks for antibodies to truly develop.

Results will be back to two to five days. Patients can agree to receive results either via text message or phone call.

For most patients, there is no out-of-pocket expense for antibody testing.

Pottstown Urgent Care is located on 119 Shoemaker Road.

Appointments for testing are made by calling a select designated testing center. Updates about testing sites, instructions about how to make an appointment, and other information is available online here.