People who have recovered from Covid-19 may lose their immunity to the disease within months, according to research suggesting the virus could reinfect people year after year, like common colds. Antibody levels fell as much as 23-fold over the period. The study has implications for the development of a vaccine, and for the pursuit of “herd immunity” in the community over time. The King’s College study is the first to have monitored antibody levels in patients and hospital workers for three months after symptoms emerged. Some of the public, especially the youth, have become somewhat cavalier about getting infected, thinking that they would contribute to herd immunity.

Source: The Irish Times July 13, 2020 14:13 UTC