Having COVID-19 provides at least five months immunity, study finds

People who have had COVID-19 are likely to be protected against reinfection for several months but could still carry the virus, NIHR-supported research found.

The SIREN study involved testing health care workers across the UK for new COVID-19 infections and antibodies, which suggest people have been infected.

Public Health England researchers found those who had had COVID-19 had 83% protection against reinfection for at least for five months since becoming sick.

But experts said those with immunity may still be able carry the virus in their nose and throat and therefore risk transmitting it to others.

The 20,787 who took part included 277 at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and 52 at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

Read more about the SIREN study on the Gov.uk website.