ANTIBODIES

The treatments were highly popular earlier in the pandemic. One by one, they got knocked out by more convenient, less expensive treatment options, and new COVID variants.

First it was hydroxychloroquine. Then it was ivermectin. Now the right is crying foul over the FDA withholding two monoclonal antibody treatments that studies show are not effective against omicron.

Researchers from the University of Michigan found that natural COVID infections provided some protection against reinfection in a community in Nicaragua.

Federal health officials are increasingly accepting a timeline in which small numbers of COVID-19 infections may have appeared in the U.S. in December 2019.

Research from the University of Michigan is shedding new light on the value and accuracy of COVID antibody tests.

It’s not as simple as getting an antibody test. While it seems logical that an antibody test would detect antibodies triggered by the vaccine, it is more complicated than that. Many of the antibody tests don’t measure the antibodies you get from the vaccine. It’s also important to note that the antibody tests aren’t perfect, there can still be false negatives and false positives. READ: What it’s like to get a $25 rapid COVID-19 antibody test at a Kroger pharmacyRead more:Questions about coronavirus?

Immunity is the crucial question and understanding it will tell us how the pandemic will end.

Kim DeGiulio recently recovered from coronavirus and just like Evrod Cassimy, she decided to donate her convalescent plasma. Dec. 9, 2020: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 415,200; Death toll now at 10,213DeGiulio recovered from coronavirus in October. Now that she’s symptom-free and has the antibodies, she signed up to donate her plasma with the American Red Cross. All it took was filling out a form to declare you’ve recovered from COVID, then the American Red Cross reaches out to schedule a time to donate. If you’ve recovered and want to know if you qualify to donate, just visit this website.

All Kroger pharmacies are expected to offer rapid COVID-19 antibody testing by the end of November, officials said Thursday. Kroger pharmacies across the U.S. are preparing to offer rapid COVID antibody testing to customers by the end of November. Individuals who are not currently experiencing COVID symptoms, but think they may have previously contracted the virus, are eligible to undergo testing at Kroger pharmacies. Officials say the rapid antibody testing is already available at some Kroger stores in Michigan and California. Individuals are encouraged to speak with their primary care physician about COVID testing needs.

DETROIT The American Red Cross cross has faced many challenges trying to collect sufficient blood in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once he recovered, he rolled up his sleeve to donate convalescent plasma. But as coronavirus cases in numerous states have spiked, the American Red Cross has seen hospital demand for convalescent plasma surge. We are depleting our COVID-19 plasma inventory faster than we can replace it, said Dr. Pampee Young, Chief Medical Officer with the American Red Cross. To sign up for an appointment, or for more information, visit the official American Red Cross website here.

Experts are eager to know the real number of COVID-19 cases in Africa, as confirmed cases and deaths have been relatively low on the continent of 1.3 billion people. Thats while Mozambique has just 2,481 confirmed virus cases. The new continent-wide antibodies study will include all African countries, but the ones showing interest to start in the coming weeks are Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria and Morocco, Nkengasong said. The Mozambique antibodies surveys detected the virus in all neighborhoods in Nampula and Pemba, National Institute of Health director Ilesh Jani told reporters. The country has more than 28,000 confirmed cases.

DETROIT There has been an emphasis put on developing widespread coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody testing as we move forward through the pandemic. Local 4s Dr. Frank McGeorge explain exactly what antibodies are and why developing a test for them is so complicated. Luckily, there are other ways your immune system fights invaders until special antibody making cells can get to work. Aug. 6, 2020 -- Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 85,429; Death toll now at 6,247Eventually, after a few days of infection those antibody making cells are ready and start cranking out antibodies. The cells that made those antibodies also keep a record, so they can make antibodies faster the next time around.

After suffering for two weeks straight in excruciating pain from coronavirus, Cassimy recovered. He heard he could donate his plasma and the antibodies could be used to help others. He then made his way to the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center for 8:40 a.m. sharp. The staff at the American Red Cross made him comfortable, reclined his chair and provided a heated blanket. And after finally filling that bag, Cassimy was finished and could see what his plasma looked like with the coronavirus antibodies.

DETROIT Weve heard a lot about antibodies in terms of determining who has already been exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and recovered, but many experts believe they could also play a major role in treating the virus. The key to treating the coronavirus might be found in the blood of those who have survived it. I think antibodies will be finished first and will be the bridge toward longer immunity, which will be conferred by vaccines, Crowe said. I think the more groups we have working on it, all the better, and the more shots on goal we have for getting an effective prevention or treatment, Crowe said. Researchers from one company, Regeneron, said their antibody treatment for COVID-19 could be on the market as early as the end of the summer, with many more potentially in the pipeline.