(Newser)
– Most people who have contracted COVID-19 will be immune to the virus for at least five months and have a low risk of catching it again, according to new research. Public Health England, which analyzed the results of coronavirus and antibody tests performed by nearly 21,000 health workers from June to November, found that past infection had an 83% lower risk of contracting COVID-19. compared to those who did not have antibodies to the coronavirus, suggesting that they were never infected. Two “probable” infections and 42 “possible” infections occurred in 6,614 workers with antibodies during the study period, while 318 probable cases occurred among workers left without antibodies. If it is re-infected, “it is very unlikely that you will develop severe infections,” Susan Hopkins, author of the study, told the BBC. However, there is still the risk of transmitting the virus to others.
In some cases, health workers were re-infected with high levels of the virus, but showed no symptoms. Researchers will monitor these health workers for another year to get a more complete picture of naturally acquired immunity. But for now, “it seems to last at least 5 months since the first illness,” according to the study – which was not evaluated by colleagues on CNN – which means that “people who contracted the disease in the first wave may now be vulnerable.” to catch him again. “That’s why,” now more than ever, it’s vital that we all stay home to protect our health care and save lives, “says Hopkins. Indeed, the study shows that the vast majority of the population will either have to have natural immunity or be immunized for us to fully lift the restrictions on our lives, ”Simon Clarke, an associate professor of cell microbiology at the University of Reading, told Reuters. (Read more stories about coronavirus .)