Source: Reuters | Editor: SS Kurniawan
KONTAN.CO.ID – LONDON. Nearly everyone who has previously been infected with the new coronavirus has had high levels of antibodies for at least six months, most likely protecting them from re-infection with the virus, the results of a large UK study show.
Scientists say the study, which measures rates of previous coronavirus infections in populations across Britain as well as how long antibodies last in those infected, suggests rapid cases of reinfection will be rare.
“The vast majority of people retain antibodies, which can be detected for at least six months after being infected with the coronavirus,” said Naomi Allen, professor and chief scientist at the UK Biobank, where the research was conducted, was quoted as saying Reuters.
Among participants previously infected with the coronavirus, 99% maintained antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 for three months, according to the results of a study released Wednesday (3/2). After the full six months of the study, 88% still had antibodies.
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“While we can’t be sure how this relates to immunity, the results suggest people may be protected from subsequent infection for at least six months after natural infection,” Allen said.
According to him, the findings are also in accordance with the results of other studies in Britain and Iceland which found antibodies to the corona virus tend to last for several months in those who have had Covid-19 and recover.
A study of British health care workers published last month showed that people who have Covid-19 are likely to be protected for at least five months. However, those with antibodies may still be able to carry and spread the virus.
The UK Biobank study also found that the proportion of the UK population with Covid-19 antibodies, a measure known as seroprevalence, rose from 6.6% at the start of the May / June 2020 study period to 8.8% in November / December 2020.
