Tests Could Reopen Nation Look For Antibody Clues
After weeks of sheltering in place, Americans seek when normal life can resume. The next testing phase targets antibodies to indicate who had COVID-19 or is fighting it, guiding estimates of infection rates and herd immunity. Contagious spread remains a concern.
Why the tests are key in reopening America
As of Sunday 600 deaths in Los Angeles County from COVID 19, per health department. An antibody test could show whether that toll reflects widespread infections or a smaller outbreak and determine if reopening while weighing herd immunity is feasible. Dr Neeraj Sood leads the study with the health department to gauge relative deadliness and policy needs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Los Angeles
Neeraj Sood
Health Department
Explaining Antibodies And Their Role In Virus Defense
Antibodies are Y shaped proteins produced by white blood cells to stop a virus from intruding. Blood tests search for IgM and IgG to show recent or long term immunity to infections including COVID 19.
How antibodies protect against COVID-19 and testing limits
Antibodies remember infections and attack pathogens again. COVID-19 uses spike proteins to bind to cells while white blood cells create targeted antibodies that disable the virus. Some tests use FDA emergency authorizations and may yield false positives due to similarity with common cold antibodies.
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