T-lymphocytes (T-cells) in some people‘s bodies may have the ability to recognize COVID-19, despite it being a new virus, according to researchers in Singapore.

The researchers of the small study published in Nature are also hopeful that these T-cells may help in the development of a vaccine for COVID-19.

The body will retain a few specific T-cells – referred to as “memory cells” – that will act as an alarm and help the immune system identify and produce antibodies to attack the foreign germ if it enters the body again, according to the federal health agency.

In the Singapore study, the scientists found the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells in all the patients they tested who recovered from COVID-19.

The researchers also found that patients who were infected with SARS during the outbreak back in 2003 still possess virus-specific memory T-cells to that virus -- 17 years later.

"[One hundred] percent of subjects infected in 2003 by SARS-Cov-1 have pre-existing cross-reactive T-cells against SARS-CoV2," Bertoletti told Fox News in a statement.

The authors stated in a news release that the findings of the long-lasting T-cells and the findings of cross-immunity suggest the role of T-cells -- not just antibodies -- are an essential part of immunity against COVID-19.

The team of researchers announced in the release that it will be conducting a larger study of exposed, uninfected subjects to examine whether T-cells can protect against COVID-19 infection or alter the course of infection.