DUBLIN: A study by HSE on the natural immunity of health workers in Ireland gives hope. Studies show that health workers in Ireland have the natural strength to survive and prevent the COVID-19 pandemic.
The study found that 15% of staff at St James’ Hospital in Dublin and 4.1% of staff at Galway University Hospital had COVID-19 antibodies. Of the 6,000 health workers from the two hospitals, 64% participated in the study. A study examining the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in the staff of these hospitals has been published.
Antibodies are specific proteins produced by the body’s immune system to fight disease. They are usually produced when a person is infected and vaccinated.
All staff (9,038) working with the two hospitals were offered antibody testing for a 10-day period in October. In total, 5,921 blood samples were collected. It was 66% from St. James’ Hospital and 64% from University Hospital Galway. The percentage difference between the two hospitals reflects the difference in community transmission between Dublin and Galway, said Dr. Lorraine Doherty, National Clinical Director for Health Protection HSE.
An individual’s antibody positivity cannot be fully assessed as an immune system. Therefore, measures and controls to prevent infection still need to be followed, Dr. Doherty said. “The study will be repeated in the springtime to see how seroprevalence changes with successive ways of the pandemic, and how antibody status changes in the individuals who participate both times,” he added.
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