A study has shown that 96 percent of the patients who had been infected with the novel coronavirus still tested positive for specific antibodies six months after recovery, which indicates that the COVID-19 antibodies have protective effects, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported yesterday.
The study was conducted by Shenzhen No. 3 People’s Hospital. In the study, 506 people who were sick with COVID-19, including 44 asymptomatic patients, were followed up by the hospital to identify COVID-19 antibody levels in their blood plasma between January and May this year.
It was found that the COVID-19 antibody levels reached a peak about one month after the onset of the disease and 96 percent of infected patients still tested positive for specific antibodies six months after recovery, according to the study.
It is suggested that COVID-19 vaccines might provide protection for similar time periods.
The hospital said its research team plans to complete a five-year follow-up survey of COVID-19 antibodies, which will provide important scientific evidence for a COVID-19 vaccination strategy.