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People who have had COVID-19 are very likely to have considerable immunity to it for at least five months, a UK study of healthcare workers has found.
However, research showed that there was still evidence that those who had antibodies may still be able to transport and spread the virus.
Researchers from Public Health England (PHE) have shown that re-infections in people who have COVID-19 antibodies from a previous infection are rare. They found only 44 cases among 6,614 people previously infected.
However, experts warned that the results meant those who contracted the disease in the first wave of the pandemic – in the early months of 2020 – may now be vulnerable to contracting it again.
They also warned that people supposedly “naturally immune” because they had contracted the disease could still carry it in their nose and throat and could unintentionally pass it on.
“We now know that most of those who have had the virus and have developed antibodies are protected against reinfection, but it is not total, and we do not yet know how long the protection lasts,” said Susan Hopkins, co-leader of the research, known as the SIREN study.
“This means that even if you think you have had the disease before and are protected, you can be reassured that it is highly unlikely that you will develop serious infections. But there is always a risk that you could get an infection and pass it on to others.
The study involved tens of thousands of healthcare workers in Britain who have been tested regularly since June.
Europe
the United Kingdom announced a travel ban to South America, Panama, Cape Verde and Portugal after a new variant of COVID was detected in Brazil. The ban will go into effect on Friday at 4 a.m. GMT.
Portugal was included on the list due to its close ties with Brazil. There will be an exception for drivers carrying essential goods into the UK from Portugal.
The ban also does not apply to British or Irish citizens returning from the countries listed. However, returnees must self-isolate with their household for 10 days.
Portugal ordered a strict nationwide lockdown, similar to that adopted last year.
People will only be allowed to leave their homes for shopping, work and medical appointments. The regulations will come into effect on Friday.
Prime Minister Antonio Costa has told broadcaster RTP it will likely last a month but will be reviewed in 15 days.
“Don’t think of the exception, think of the rule. And the rule is simple: we all have to stay at home,” Costa said.
Of Germany the economy contracted by 5%, according to figures from the country’s statistics office. Analysts had predicted Europe’s largest economy to shrink 5.1% last year, after growing 0.6% in 2019.
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has proposed up to 10,000 troops to perform COVID-19 tests in nursing homes.
“The Bundeswehr (army) is ready to help up to 10,000 men and women in nursing homes and nursing homes on short notice if called upon,” a spokesperson for Kramp-Karrenbauer told the AFP press agency.
Soldiers would receive training from manufacturers to perform rapid tests to protect those most at risk and relieve pressure on nursing home staff.
The changes come as Germany has seen another record for daily coronavirus-related deaths. The Robert Koch Institute, the national public health agency for infectious diseases, on Thursday reported 1,244 deaths and 25,164 new infections in the past 24 hours.
A meat processing plant in Frechen, a town near Cologne, Germany, reported that 55 employees were infected with COVID-19.
The first infection was recorded on December 28, according to the Rhine-Erft district. Several employees were then tested in their roommate.
Several large-scale epidemics were reported last summer at various meat processing plants across Germany, sparking outrage over squalid working conditions in the industry which relies heavily on foreign workers.
Spain recorded a record number of daily cases on Wednesday. The country recorded 38,869 new cases and 195 deaths.
Carolina Darias, minister of territorial policy and civil service, said the country was in a “very high risk, extreme risk” situation.
Health Minister Salvador Illa said “the pressure continues to rise in hospitals,” and said the number of people getting tested is also increasing.
the Vatican began its vaccination campaign for workers and residents on Wednesday. He said healthcare workers, security personnel and the elderly would be the first in line.
Pope Francis, 84, and his predecessor, former Pope Benedict XVI, 93, have received the coronavirus vaccine, the Vatican said Thursday.
There have been several epidemics in the Vatican in recent months, including among the Swiss Guard.
Africa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday that the African Union (AU) had secured 270 million interim vaccine doses as part of a deal to benefit countries unable to fund their own immunization campaigns.
“Through our own efforts, we have so far secured an interim commitment of 270 million vaccines from three major suppliers: Pfizer, AstraZeneca (via the Serum Institute of India) and Johnson & Johnson,” said he declared.
These doses will complement the 600 million vaccine doses secured through the COVAX vaccination program.
The new purchases with doses from the COVAX program will provide Africa with half of the vaccines it needs, according to the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The continent seeks to immunize around 780 million people, which represents about 60% of its population of 1.3 billion.
This will require 1.5 billion doses, assuming two doses per person, at an estimated total cost of around $ 10 billion, the Africa CDC said.
Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said he had requested access to COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX distribution program.
“We applied to the COVAX program and we hope to get the vaccine to immunize 20% of vulnerable people,” Nyusi said in a speech to the nation.
Health Minister Armindo Tiago said in an interview with public broadcaster Radio Mozambique earlier this month that the country expects to receive around 6 million doses and plans to start vaccinating people from the end of June or in July.
wmr, adi, kbd, rc / aw (AP, Reuters, dpa, AFP)
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