London – Most people who had COVID-19 have some immunity against recapture for at least five months, according to a study by Public Health England. Research by the UK government’s health agency has shown that someone who has been infected is 83% less likely than someone without a previous infection to catch the coronavirus again over a five-month period.
The researchers found, however, that someone who was infected could still carry the virus and pass it on to others, even if they did not get sick again.
The period of partial immunity begins when someone gets sick, according to the study.
The data come from months of regular testing of health workers for both active infections and antibodies to previous infections, carried out by Public Health England in the UK since June.
The agency warned that the results suggest people who received sick of COVID-19 During the first wave of the spring pandemic, he may now be vulnerable to catching it again. He also warned that even if people who were already ill could be protected on their own, preliminary data from the next stage of the study showed that they could still carry high levels of the virus and should still practice social distancing and wear masks to avoid infecting others.
“This study has given us the clearest picture so far of the nature of antibody protection against COVID-19, but it is essential that people do not misunderstand these early findings,” said Professor Susan Hopkins, senior medical advisor, in a statement. Public Health England. .
“We now know that most people who have had the virus and developed antibodies are protected from reinfection, but this is not complete and we do not yet know how long the protection will last. Crucially, we believe that people could still pass. the virus is activated. “
“Now, more than ever, it is vital that we all stay at home to protect our health care and save lives,” Hopkins said.
The scientists will continue to monitor the people involved in the study for a year to see how long the immunity lasts, how effective the vaccines are and to confirm whether people who have had the virus are still able to pass it on to others.
They will also work to determine if a previous COVID-19 infection can protect someone from getting the disease. new variant, extremely infectious of the virus that appeared late last year in the south of England.