A study has found coronavirus antibodies have declined rapidly in the UK population. But here's why we shouldn't be too worried - ABC News

It suggests people may have a waning immunity because antibody protection after a COVID-19 infection may not last long.

Professor Wendy Barclay, head of the Department of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London, said it looked like immunity to COVID-19 declined with the antibodies.

"On the balance of evidence I would say, with what we know for other coronaviruses, it would look as if immunity declines away at the same rate as antibodies decline away, and that this is an indication of waning immunity at the population level," Professor Barclay said.

Those for whom COVID-19 was confirmed with a gold standard PCR test had a less pronounced decline in antibodies, compared to people who had been asymptomatic and unaware of their original infection.

The study backs up findings from similar surveys in Germany which found the vast majority of people did not have COVID-19 antibodies, even in hotspots for the disease, and that antibodies might fade in those who do.

While a 25 per cent decrease in antibodies was recorded in the study, Dr Senanayake noted that the majority of people maintained the levels of antibodies

"About three-quarters of people still maintained their levels as well, which was a good thing, it means beyond three months they might maintain levels of immunity," he said