"When it comes to serological tests for companies or organizations, the idea is to allow employers to create a work routine, as much as possible, based on employees who are not required to quarantine in case of exposure to the virus, as they have developed natural immunity," explains Tal Abutbul, Rambam's director of private and international medical services.
"Those who undergo the test are entitled to a 'recovery certificate' from the Health Ministry. This group of people will be an asset to employers."
The serological test is a standard blood test, which checks for antibodies against coronavirus proteins. The test results can be one of the following three options:
• Negative: there are no antibodies in the blood, that is, the subject did not have coronavirus and was not exposed to a person who was infected with the virus.
• Positive: there are antibodies in the blood, meaning the patient has had coronavirus (was asymptomatic or actually sick) or infected by someone who had it.
• Unclear: it is not clear what the person's condition is. In this case, this person will have to return and take the test again after a week.
"It is important to know that the antibodies do not appear in the blood immediately but only after about ten days to three weeks of exposure to the virus," explains Dr. Hitam Hussein, director of infection prevention. "Since this is a new disease, we do not know."
Upon contacting Rambam, a skilled team arrives at the workplace, which includes nurses and paramedics. At the end of the process, the team transfers the test tubes to Rambam's Virology Laboratory. The results are then sent to the workplace within three business days of the test. For a private serological test, one must arrive at Rambam to perform the test.
For private serological tests, click here. For serological tests for organizations, click here or call 04-7771652.
For coronavirus tests, click here.