Naples Fire Department tests all first responders for antibodies and all came back negative

NCH Healthcare System just opened up antibody testing to anyone when previously only hospital employees could be tested.

The process must’ve been fast-tracked to include not just first responders but also the public.

The Naples Fire Department didn’t want to wait to take part in the study so they did their own testing, which returned some surprising results.

60 members got tested and none of them had the antibody.

The chief says this was especially necessary for the men and women transporting COVID-19 patients.

With no one having the antibody, Chief Dimaria says it only reinforces how important following the CDC guidelines are.

He believes those extra precautions were vital.

“It’s positive for us knowing that the PPE we are distributing and mandating that it is used following the guidance of the CDC is actually working,” Dimaria said.

According to NCH they are almost done testing their employees. They tell us less than 1 percent of staff came back positive for the antibody.