Explaining The Process of Getting Antibody Testing.
WHITFIELD: Antibody testing for millions of Americans is critical during this pandemic. But getting your hands on one can be very difficult. Much of the testing available today is for people with underlying conditions or a specific occupation. But now a renowned hospital in Denver is making antibody testing available for absolutely anyone who wants it. CNN's Gary Tuchman goes through the process and shows how easy and stress free it is.</s>GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Getting your blood analyzed for COVID-19 antibodies has not been easy to do if you aren't a first responder or health care worker.</s>UNIDENTIFIED PHYSICIAN: And this was one thing we could do to really reduce the barriers to care and expand access to testing.</s>TUCHMAN: At Denver's National Jewish Health Center, if you want an antibody test, you can get an antibody test. You don't need connections or even a doctor's recommendation. You make a reservation and drive into a parking lot.</s>TUCHMAN: This type of interview starts an easy process. (on camera): Hello, there.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello. How are you doing today?</s>TUCHMAN: How are you?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Could I get your name please?</s>TUCHMAN: My name is Gary Tuchman.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let me find your paperwork, real quick.</s>TUCHMAN: Thank you. (voice-over): I made an appointment the day before to get a close look at a process that will hopefully get more and more prominent across the country and to answer a question as I continue to cover stories on</s>CNN: Have I already had COVID-19 without knowing it?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the last two weeks, have you had any fever?</s>TUCHMAN (on camera): No.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Any new or worsening cough?</s>TUCHMAN: No. (voice-over): Following the interview, you walk into this trailer for a 10-minute visit to get your blood drawn. (on camera): You did a great job. Right in the vein, right?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Yes. You have a great day.</s>TUCHMAN: Thank you.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Relax your fist.</s>TUCHMAN (voice-over): My blood and the blood of others is then walked over to the medical center campus into this lab. The vials go into a centrifuge. MOLLY WOLF (ph),</s>LAB SUPERVISOR, NATIONAL JEWISH HEALTH CENTER: Gary Tuchman's vial right here.</s>TUCHMAN (on camera): That's mine?</s>WOLF (ph): That's yours.</s>TUCHMAN (voice-over): Molly Wolf (ph) is the lab supervisor.</s>WOLF (ph): This is the process is where we pull the serum off the whole blood.</s>TUCHMAN: This is the final step for our blood. This machine is called the automated analyzer. The analyzing will take a little over four hours. This test, which has been submitted for emergency use authorization to the FDA, costs $94 but is eligible for insurance coverage. Hundreds of people are getting tested here each day. So while it is important for this country to have a better idea how many people have or have had COVID-19, what does it mean for any of us who test positive for the antibodies?</s>UNIDENTIFIED PHYSICIAN: I would not let your guard down. Even if you have it, you do not know how much protection you do or do not have and how long that protection will last.</s>TUCHMAN: Well, my guard will definitely be staying up either way. I got my results the next day. The determination? Not detected, which means negative. I have not had the coronavirus. Gary Tuchman, CNN, Denver.</s>WHITFIELD: All right. Hello, again, everyone. Thank you so much for being with me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. We begin with the U.S. entering a new phase in the fight against the coronavirus. This weekend, more than 30 states are partially reopening. By the end of next week, that number will be at least 42. Easing restrictions means that restaurants, stores, and even shopping malls are permitted to get back to business. Despite that, there are still some businesses taking a more cautious approach, choosing not to reopen.