The Japanese Heath Ministry has discovered antibodies that can neutralize the coronavirus. However, a study by the UK’s King’s College London claims that those with immunity will lose it after three months.
The Japan Times report that the Ministry confirmed today that they discovered antibodies that can neutralize the coronavirus from eight individuals involved in testing for antibodies.
In June, the Ministry had released the results of their mass antibody tests conducted across Tokyo, and the Miyagi and Osaka prefectures. This was by (In the Japan Times’ words) “using an agent manufactured by a foreign company and another from a different firm abroad.”
Out of the 3,009 subjects from Miyagi, one hand antibodies. In Tokyo, this was two out of 1,971, and five out of 2,970 in Osaka. Japan Times also report “the finding implies that the eight people had previously been infected with the virus.” These are the same eight individuals who had antibodies (discovered via in-vitro experimentation).
Others who had one protein agent (rather than the two needed to be effective), did not have enough antibodies to fight off the virus.
“Antibody tests are being conducted also by private institutes,” a Ministry spokesperson reportedly stated, “but neutralizing antibodies had not been confirmed. We’ll consider what kinds of antibody tests can be done.”
However, another institute has made a dark claim based on their research. The Guardian reports that a King’s College London study claims that people may lose their immunity to the coronavirus after three months.
The study was conducted with 90 patients and healthcare workers from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. While 60% had a “potent” antibody numbers after three weeks, only 17% had the same levels three months later.
The lead author on the study Dr. Katie Doores explained her concerns with what the study’s results showed.
“People are producing a reasonable antibody response to the virus, but it’s waning over a short period of time and depending on how high your peak is, that determines how long the antibodies are staying around.
[…] Infection tends to give you the best-case scenario for an antibody response, so if your infection is giving you antibody levels that wane in two to three months, the vaccine will potentially do the same thing. People may need boosting and one shot might not be sufficient.”
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic (also known as COVID-19 officially, or Chinese Flu to others) has affected many worldwide, from businesses to public gatherings and events.
This includes postponements of GDC, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the physical events for EVO 2020 and Tokyo Game Show 2020, Comiket 99, and cancellations E3 2020 (including digital events), BlizzCon 2020, the physical event for Gamescom 2020, Comiket 98, and MAGStock 2020.
We also reported Mafia: Definitive Edition being delayed, and Japanese theme parks implementing a soft ban on screaming on attractions.
The Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering are mapping the virus’ spread [1, 2]. As of this time of writing, there are over over 5.268 million active cases worldwide. There have been over 573,000 deaths, however over 7.294 million people have made a “total recovery.” There have been over 13.135 million total confirmed cases.
Japan has 3,319 active cases (22,429 total cases active cases), 984 deaths, and 18,126 recoveries.
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