Coronavirus Antibodies May Not Make You Immune, WHO Warns

TOPLINE

There is no evidence to suggest that recovered coronavirus patients and former asymptomatic carriers who have coronavirus antibodies in their blood will have long-term COVID-19 immunity, the World Health Organization said in a press conference on Friday.

KEY FACTS

BIG NUMBER

564,525. That’s how many people worldwide have recovered from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins. As of Friday afternoon, more than 2.2 million people have been officially diagnosed.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

The World Health Organization plans to release further guidance on immunity and the efficacy of antibody tests this weekend. 

NEWS PEG

As states consider when and how to reopen, many are looking to increase antibody testing as a way to determine whether certain safety thresholds have been met. Meanwhile, in a decision decried by many world leaders, President Trump announced on Tuesday that he would pause funding WHO for “severely mismanaging and covering up” its pandemic response, and would conduct a review.

FURTHER READING

President Trump Putting A Hold On Funding To The World Health Organization (Forbes)

‘As Dangerous As It Sounds’: Bill Gates, World Leaders And UN Condemn Trump’s Decision To Halt WHO Funding (Forbes)

Coronavirus: The World Health Organization Is Becoming The Planet’s Most Important Social Media Influencer (Forbes)

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