Few healthcare workers in the United Kingdom who recovered from COVID-19 and had immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against the virus were reinfected over the next 6 months, according to a study published Dec 23 in the New England Journal of Medicine.The prospective, longitudinal cohort study involved measuring levels of IgG antibodies against the coronavirus's spike protein and nucleocapsid in symptomatic and asymptomatic healthcare workers at Oxford University Hospitals undergoing COVID-19 testing.
Testing began Mar 27, and follow-up ended on Nov 30.At screening, 11,364 staff members were identified has not having antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, while 1,265 tested positive for antibodies—including 88 who