People who want to know if they have had COVID-19 can now go to Madison hospitals and clinics for antibody testing, which could also help health officials decide when to loosen or tighten measures to reduce spread of the coronavirus.

UW Health, UnityPoint Health-Meriter and SSM Health said Tuesday they are offering antibody testing, which they said is covered by insurance.

Unlike nasal swabs that test for active infections of COVID-19, antibody tests are blood tests that look for immune system proteins that fight infection. Antibodies to the coronavirus, which typically can be detected starting a week or two after someone is ill, may protect people from becoming infected again — though that remains unclear. Read more …