LUTZ, Fla. - Doctor's Urgent Care Clinics across the Bay area are offering free COVID-19 testing.

Justin Ruiz of Lutz heads into urgent care, with a different type of urgency.

"We’re doing great, thank God," said Ruiz. "Everyone’s safe, like quarantine, like, doing their part to just stay inside as much as possible, only leaving for, like, essentials."

A recent essential trip was to get tested for coronavirus.

"I think it’s important not only for my own health," said Ruiz.

"I just want to make sure I’m not spreading anything if necessary just so I can take the proper precautions.”

Ruiz is tested using the nasal swab.

"The nasal swab tests you for if you're infected right now,” said Dr. David Dean, Medical Director of Doctor’s Urgent Care.

Ruiz also had blood drawn for an antibody test.

"This antibody test only tells you that you’ve had past exposure," said Dean.

"It does not guarantee that in the future you will not get sick with it or you can’t catch it again," Dean said. "We’re not quite sure yet who will have immunity from the antibody test and who won’t.”

Dean says testing is important.

"The COVID pandemic has really paralyzed the community and one way to decrease risk is by testing more and more people," he said.

"If I do have antibodies, I wouldn’t mind donating plasma just to help out and do my part,” said Ruiz.

Dean says this is the best approach until other types of testing are available.

"Once we get more, they call it point-of-service or on-the-spot testing, that will be more of a norm and you’ll be able to go to the supermarket to your office or anywhere, you’ll be tested and within 10 minutes, if you’re negative, you’ll be able to go about your day. If you’re positive, you’ll be in isolation," Dean said.

"Until we have that, this is the next best thing."

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