The city of Ketchum announced Wednesday Blaine County residents will take part in the study and testing of COVID-19 antibodies.
CBS2 reports the study will start with a random sample of 400 Blaine County residents to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in symptomatic and asymptomatic people and determine the rate of cases within the community.
The study will look at the total number of COVID-19 cases in the 400 sample and compare it to the number of cases tested. This will help scientists discover if antibody presence makes someone immune.
Officials emphasize this is a study; not a medical diagnosis, vaccine or guarantee of immunity to COVID-19.
Residents will be screened and chosen for the study based on demographic criteria established for the study.
Eventually, the study will provide information to the community on when it is safe to resume normal activity.
“We are grateful for the efforts led by Ketchum Fire Chief Bill McLaughlin and Blaine County EMS Director Terry O’Connor to spearhead this study,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “A keen interest from the partnering organizations and the perseverance of our Chief and EMS Director kept the ball rolling and made the testing a reality for our community.”
The Ketchum Fire Department and Blaine County Ambulance District have partnered with the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to conduct a study that includes antibody testing for residents of Blaine County.
Further analysis of the study will help to:
Determine whether there are indicators for predicting a mild or severe reaction to COVID-19
Determine the transmissibility of the virus
Predict the duration of a COVID-19 outbreak and whether herd immunity can be reached in a community
Develop vaccines for COVID-19
Determine if there is a correlation between certain classes of blood pressure medication and severity of illness
“I am proud of the collaboration between Blaine County and our cities,” said Blaine County Commissioner Jacob Greenberg. “Not only will this testing in the County help the study, it is a chance for the volunteers to help friends, relatives, neighbors and ultimately, all of humanity.”
