In the face of rising cases across the state, Oklahoma Blood Institute is relaunching its Chinese coronarvirus antibody testing program.

The test will provide donors an additional piece of health information, similar to the existing health screenings typically provided to all donors.

Discovering if an individual had a previously-unknown infection is beneficial in the event of future health concerns.

OBI uses an IgG antibody test created by Abbott, which measures antibodies from natural COVID infection and the antibodies produced as a result. The test will not measure the vaccine response, which is created through a different mechanism.

“Knowledge has always been power, especially as it relates to our health,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute.

Oklahoma Blood Institute performed antibody testing earlier in the pandemic, beginning in July 2020 and extending through May of this year. During that initial testing period, nearly 300,000 tests were completed, with a 16 percent positivity rate.

In addition to the antibody results, blood donors also receive information on blood pressure, cholesterol and Hemoglobin A1c.

The blood supply in Oklahoma – as with the rest of the nation – remains at critical levels, as demand for blood products continues to soar and donors are not yet back at pre-pandemic giving levels. Blood is needed every two seconds and has no substitute.

Donating blood takes about an hour and can save the lives of up to three local patients.

Oklahoma Blood Institute supports the inventory for patients in more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-340-8777 or visiting obi.org.