WALL TWP., N.J. – Assemblyman Edward Thomson announced plans today to introduce legislation establishing Covid-19 antibody testing in what he hopes will be the start of efforts to re-open the state’s economy.
Antibodies are the body’s way of remembering how it responded to an infection so it can fight the virus again.
“Antibody tests are key to resuming close to normal life because it could determine whether enough people have immunity to protect those who haven’t contracted the virus,” said Thomson (R-Monmouth). “As it becomes available we need to use this tool to begin reopening the state safely and restarting our economy.”
Testing will help health experts better assess how many people have contracted Covid-19 and developed antibodies that may make them immune to reinfection or spreading the virus. It works by using blood samples to isolate antibodies. If a patient has coronavirus antibodies, they would be found in the blood sample.
According to recent reports, more than 90 companies have developed antibody tests and New York state recently began a widespread testing program of antibodies.
Thomson’s legislation would require the state Health Department to conduct antibody testing or contract it out to a company. Results would be analyzed and published on the department’s website.
“Every day the state is closed our residents’ and business owners’ struggles are multiplied and New Jersey gets closer to economic collapse,” concluded Thomson. “We need to get the infrastructure in place to begin widespread testing so we can end this shutdown as soon as possible.”