Past COVID-19 infection provides some immunity but people may still carry and transmit virus (14th Jan)
PHE’s SIREN (SARS-CoV-2 Immunity and Reinfection EvaluatioN
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/past-covid-19-infection-provides-some-immunity-but-people-may-still-carry-and-transmit-virus
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.15.20247981v1.full.pdf
Since June, 102 NHS trusts
Regular antibody and PCR testing on 20,787 healthcare workers
Tested positive, 6,614 for COVID-19 upon recruitment.
Results
Past coronavirus (COVID-19) infection provides some immunity
At least 5 months, antibody protection
People may still carry and transmit the virus.
May still be able carry the virus in their nose and throat
Therefore risk of transmission
New COVID-19 infections and antibodies
Nothing to do with vaccine immunity, that’s next
Naturally acquired immunity
Provide 83% protection against reinfection
Compared to people who have not had the disease before
Lasts at least for 5 months from first becoming sick
Ongoing
People infected in the first wave may now be vulnerable to catching it again
18 June to 24 November
N = 6,614 who had tested positive for antibodies
Detected 44 potential reinfections (2 ‘probable’ and 42 ‘possible’ reinfections)
The 2 ‘probable’ reinfections reported symptoms during the first wave, but were not tested at the time.
The 42 ‘possible’ cases were diagnosed only on antibodies
None of the 44 potential reinfection cases were PCR tested during the first wave,
but all tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies at the point of recruitment to the study.
So
Previous infection group
n = 6,614
44 infections
Reinfection rate = 0.66 %
30% symptomatic
No previous infection group
n = 14,173
318 infections
Infection rate = 2.24 %
78% symptomatic
This represents an 83% rate of protection from reinfection
If only the 2 ‘probable’ reinfections were confirmed, the rate would be 99%.
Both patients reported that their symptoms were less severe the second time.
Some protection from becoming ill with COVID-19
Some reinfections carry high levels of virus and could continue to transmit
Everyone continues to follow the rules
Professor Susan Hopkins
We now know that most of those who have had the virus, and developed antibodies, are protected from reinfection,
but this is not total and we do not yet know how long protection lasts.
Crucially, we believe people may still be able to pass the virus on.
you can be reassured it is highly unlikely you will develop severe infections
but there is still a risk that you could acquire an infection and transmit to others.
Now more than ever it is vital we all stay at home to protect our health service and save lives.
Prior to VOC202012/01
Current lab work, to what extent antibodies also provide protection from this variant?
Future analysis, impact of VOC202012/01 on symptomatic and asymptomatic infections in healthcare workers.
World Health Organization
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-55657781
Team of 10 arrived in Wuhan
Months of negotiations between the WHO and Beijing
Interviews, research institutes, hospitals, market
Two weeks of quarantine
Rely upon samples and evidence provided by Chinese officials
Peter Ben Embarek
Could be a very long journey before we get a full understanding of what happened
I don’t think we will have clear answers after this initial mission, but we will be on the way
Wuhan, not necessarily where the virus originated
Lebanon
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-55658370
Next 11 days
Complete lockdown, curfew
Schools, restaurants, supermarkets closed – deliveries
Healthcare system overwhelmed
Almost half, not have enough cash to buy food until end of the lockdown period.
Importation of medical supplies.
Deaths will rise in coming days
Source