Crucial test to identify those who have recovered from COVID-19 and have active immunity

A test that can determine if a patient had been infected and recovered from COVID-19 is being developed at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. The test will detect the presence of antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Antibodies are produced by a person's immune system, and are critical for control and clearance of the virus.

In this article, Dr. Gregory Poland, a Mayo Clinic Covid-19 and vaccine expert, highlights the importance of antibody testing. Dr. Poland explains how “useful, helpful, even reassuring” it would be for people to know, “Have I been infected, and I am potentially protected now?” Although it is not yet known whether the presence of antibodies specific to Covid-19 cause immunity, data from antibody testing is crucial in giving researchers a better understanding of how widespread the virus truly is. Dr. Poland also notes that antibody testing will help scientists and researchers identify which personal characteristics and environmental factors appear to play a role in how severely the virus impacts particular groups of people or populations.