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COVID-19 is an infectious disease that has been confirmed in almost 50 million people across the world, while more than one million have died from the virus. If you develop any of the key coronavirus symptoms, you should get tested for the infection straight away.
The UK has seen a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus cases over the past few weeks.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that a new nationwide lockdown will come into force from Thursday this week, in a bid to stop the spread of the virus.
More than 300 people died from COVID-19 on Saturday (October 31) alone.
But experts have now revealed that coronavirus patients may have an element of immunity from the virus going forward.
People that have been infected with COVID-19 have a type of immunity against the virus for the next six months, a study has revealed.
Scientists from the UK Coronavirus Immunology Consortium (UKCIC) worked with Public Health England and the University of Birmingham to compare cellular immunity against the coronavirus in patients.
Specifically, they analysed the T-cells of coronavirus patients, which works with antibodies in the immune system to protect against infection.
COVID-19 patients had small traces of T-cell immunity against the coronavirus for up to six months after their initial infection, they found.
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There have already been reports of people becoming infected with coronavirus twice, which increased fears that a governmental herd immunity strategy may not work.
But, the latest findings have left some scientists feeling mildly optimistic about the length of immunity against the deadly infection.
“Understanding what constitutes effective immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is extremely important, both to allow us to understand how susceptible individuals are to reinfection and to help us develop more effective COVID-19 vaccines,” said UKCIC’s lead, Professor Paul Moss.
“To our knowledge, our study is the first in the world to show robust cellular immunity remains at six months after infection in individuals who experienced either mild/moderate or asymptomatic COVID-19.
“Our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infection is increasing all the time. While our findings cause us to be cautiously optimistic about the strength and length of immunity generated after SARS-CoV-2 infection, this is just one piece of the puzzle.
“There is still a lot for us learn before we have a full understanding of how immunity to COVID-19 works.”
Cellular immunity was described as a very significant piece of the puzzle in the fight against coronavirus.
But more research is needed to uncover exactly how long patients remain immunised against coronavirus for.
Meanwhile, A high fever, a new cough, and a change to your sense of smell or taste are the most common early coronavirus symptoms.
You should only get tested for the infection if you develop any of these symptoms.
Some patients have also reported a sore throat, headaches, and even hiccups, on top of the more common signs.
More than 45,000 people have died from coronavirus in the UK.
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