Only a few developed antibodies in the first wave of COVID-19

The first cross-sectional, nation-wide analysis of more than 28,000 patients on dialysis in the United States found that fewer than 10% of adults had COVID-19 antibodies as of July 2020 and fewer than 10% were diagnosed.

Published recently in The Lancet, the new study also shows higher COVID-19 infection rates among ethnic minorities and people living in lower-income, high density, urban areas – underling the need for COVID-19 public health efforts that prioritise these populations to prevent general community spread.

The study demonstrates an urgent need for public health efforts dedicated to controlling COVID-19 to continue, with more attention paid to some of the highest risk communities the researchers identified: low-income neighbourhoods and densely populated metropolitan areas.

Despite high rates of COVID-19 in the United States, the number of people with antibodies is still low and the population has not come close to achieving herd immunity. Until an effective vaccine is approved, it is important to make sure more vulnerable populations are reached with prevention measures.