Quest Diagnostics direct-to-consumer COVID-19 antibody testing service available, likely to yield key data

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Quest Diagnostics has launched its direct-to-consumer COVID-19 antibody testing service in a move that may break a logjam in diagnostic testing.

For $119, Quest Diagnostics is allowing consumers to get COVID-19 antibody testing at GetQuest Test. From there, Quest Diagnostics walks you through a series of questions about your COVID-19 history, birth date, contact info and then schedules you at a local Quest facility.

The tests, which use blood serum specimens to check for antibodies, aren't available in all states. Results are available in 1 to 2 days.

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Quest said it would launch an antibody testing service on April 21. The test is reviewed, and additional testing may be issued by a physician.

For consumers, the QuestDirect service may give them a read on whether or not they have been exposed to COVID-19. The service may also yield more data on the spread of COVID-19 as well as how many people have been exposed to it. To date, testing has been sporadic and limited to folks showing symptoms.