Brookline To Test Coronavirus Antibodies Among First Responders

BROOKLINE, MA —Brookline is set to give antibody tests to first responders and a select number of people in town who haven't had symptoms of the coronavirus next week in an effort to shed light on the extent of impact the virus has had on Brookline.

As of May 5, some 508 Brookline residents have reportedly tested positive for the virus and 33 people have died here. Health officials say that it's likely many more have contracted the virus, but are asymptomatic.

Antibody testing helps to identify how widespread the coronavirus has spread undetected within the community, and can clarify for public health and medical professionals how many people have contracted the virus without developing symptoms of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus.

"Having a sample size level understanding of the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies among residents and first responders is a critical step in building our understanding of the true size and scale of the COVID-19 pandemic," Director of Public Health Dr. Swanni Jett said in a statement.

Massachusetts General Hospital and Fallon Ambulance Service will help the town test 200 of the town's first responders and essential workers, as well as 400 randomly selected residents at a drive-thru test event at Larz Anderson Park.

According to town officials, residents were randomly selected to participate in the testing program using census data and will be getting a letter in the mail. And only those who received a letter from the Department of Public Health will be tested, according to Jett. The testing is also only meant for people who have never displayed symptoms of COVID-19.

The antibody testing will be conducted by trained professionals using a finger stick test, which collects a small amount of blood that will subsequently be analyzed by MGH staff on-site.

Brookline first responders and essential workers will be tested on May 11, and residents who have been specifically invited to take part in the voluntary effort will be tested on throughout the day on May 15, at Larz Anderson Park.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).Have a press release you'd like posted on the Waltham Patch? Here's how to post a press release, opinion piece.