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WMCHealth COVID-19 Specimen Collection for Testing


WMCHealth offers both COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing by appointment only, at sites in Valhalla, Poughkeepsie, Kingston and Margaretville

 

How do I make an appointment?

What should I bring?

  • When you come to your appointment, you will need to bring your photo identification and insurance card, if applicable.

When will I receive my results?

  • At this time, diagnostic results can take up to five days, antibody results can take up to three days; rapid results (diagnostic only) can take up to 15 minutes. 

What is the difference between a COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing?

  • Diagnostic (viral) tests check samples from your respiratory system (such as swabs of the inside of the nose) to tell you if you currently have an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
  • Antibody testing, also known as serological testing, detects antibodies present in the blood when the body is responding to a specific infection, like COVID-19. Serologic assays such as the antibody IgG test (used by WMCHealth) are an indicator of exposure and antibody development -- and may show if an individual has ever been infected with the virus, even if they did not have symptoms. As such, an antibody test detects the body’s immune response to the infection caused by the virus, rather than detecting the virus itself. In the early days of an infection, when the body’s immune response is still building, antibodies may not be present in detectable levels.
  • An antibody test does not take the place of testing for active infection. WMCHealth operates coronavirus infection testing sites on or near each hospital campus across our network.

Additional Information:

Please call the DOH’s coronavirus hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov for additional information. You can also visit the CDC.gov for updates and prevention tips.

 

Please visit the website of your local WMCHealth hospital for additional information and requirements.

Updated: March 24, 2021