Coronavirus... Recovered Patients Likely Protected for 6 Months: Study

A major UK study showed today that Almost all people previously infected with COVID-19 have high levels of antibodies for at least six months that are likely to protect them from reinfection with the disease.

The study, which measured levels of previous COVID-19 infection in populations across Britain, as well as how long antibodies persisted in those infected, was carried out by the UK Biobank.

"The vast majority of people retain detectable antibodies for at least six months after infection with the coronavirus," said Naomi Allen, a professor and chief scientist at the UK Biobank.

The results showed that among participants who had tested positive for previous COVID-19 infection, 99% retained antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 for three months, while after the full six months of follow-up in the study, 88% still had them.

"Although we cannot be certain how this relates to immunity, the results suggest that people may be protected against subsequent infection for at least six months following natural infection," Allen said.

She said the findings were also consistent with results of other studies in the United Kingdom and Iceland which found that antibodies to the coronavirus tended to persist for several months in those who have had the disease and recovered.