People who have taken COVID-19 are very likely to have considerable immunity to it for at least five months, a UK study of healthcare workers concluded.
However, research showed that there was still evidence that those with antibodies may still be able to carry and spread the virus.
Researchers at Public Health England (PHE) have shown that reinfections in people with COVID-19 antibodies from a previous infection are rare. They found only 44 cases among 6,614 previously infected individuals.
However, experts warned that the findings mean that those who contracted the disease in the first wave of the pandemic – in the first months of 2020 – may now be vulnerable to contracting it again.
They also warned that people with so-called “natural immunity” because they contracted the disease can still carry it on their nose and throat and, without meaning to, transmit it.
“We now know that most people who have had the virus and developed antibodies are protected against reinfection, but that is not total and we still don’t 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 believe you have had the disease and are protected, you can be sure that it is highly unlikely that you will develop serious infections. But there is still a risk of getting an infection and passing it on to others.”
The study involved tens of thousands of health professionals in Britain who have been testing regularly since June.
Europe
O UK announced a ban on traveling to South America, Panama, Cape Verde and Portugal after a new variant of COVID was detected in Brazil. The ban will take effect on Friday at 4 am GMT.
Portugal was included in the list due to its strong tourist links with Brazil. There will be an exception for drivers who transport essential goods from Portugal to the United Kingdom.
The ban also does not apply to British or Irish citizens returning from the countries listed. However, returnees must isolate themselves with their families for 10 days.
Portugal ordered a strict national blockade, similar to the one enacted last year.
People will only be able to leave the house to shop, work and have medical appointments. The regulation goes into effect on Friday.
Prime Minister Antonio Costa told broadcaster RTP that it will probably last a month, but will be reviewed in 15 days.
“Don’t think about the exception, think about the rule. And the rule is easy: we all have to stay home, ”said Costa.
From Germany the economy contracted 5%, according to data from the country’s Bureau of Statistics. Analysts had predicted that Europe’s largest economy would shrink 5.1% last year, after growing 0.6% in 2019.
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer offered up to 10,000 soldiers to conduct COVID-19 tests in nursing homes.
“The Bundeswehr (army) is ready to help in the short term with up to 10,000 men and women in nursing homes and nursing homes if we are called,” a Kramp-Karrenbauer spokesman told AFP news agency.
Soldiers would receive training from manufacturers to conduct rapid tests to protect those most at risk and to relieve pressure on the home team.
The changes come at a time when Germany is recording another record for daily coronavirus-related deaths. The Robert Koch Institute, the country’s public health agency for infectious diseases, reported 1,244 deaths and 25,164 new infections on Thursday 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 registered on December 28, according to the Rhine-Erft district. Several employees were tested in their shared accommodation.
Several large-scale outbreaks were reported last summer at various meat-processing plants across Germany, which sparked outrage at the poor working conditions in the sector, 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 for Territorial Policy and Public Service, said the country is 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 taking the test is also increasing.
O Vatican started its vaccination campaign for workers and residents on Wednesday. He said health professionals, security personnel and the elderly would be first in line.
Both Pope Francis, 84, and his predecessor, former Pope Benedict XVI, 93, received the coronavirus vaccine, the Vatican said on Thursday.
In the past few months, there have been several outbreaks in the Vatican, including among the Swiss Guard.
Africa
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa said Wednesday that the African Union (AU) has secured 270 million doses of provisional vaccines in an agreement that aims to benefit countries that cannot finance their own immunization campaigns.
“As a result of our own efforts, we have so far secured a provisional commitment of 270 million vaccines from three major suppliers: Pfizer, AstraZeneca (through the Serum Institute of India) and Johnson & Johnson,” he said.
These doses will complement the 600 million vaccine doses guaranteed through the COVAX vaccination program.
The new purchases with doses of 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 vaccinate about 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 about $ 10 billion, said the Africa CDC.
Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi said that he requested access to COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX distribution scheme.
“We signed up for the COVAX program and hope to get the vaccine to vaccinate 20% of vulnerable people,” said Nyusi in a speech to the country.
Health Minister Armindo Tiago said in an interview with the state broadcaster Rádio Moçambique earlier this month that the country expects to receive about 6 million doses and plans to start vaccinating people from the end of June or July.
wmr, adi, kbd, rc / aw (AP, Reuters, dpa, AFP)