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Zimbabwe is among seven African countries to start coronavirus antibody tests from next week.
The other countries announced by head of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention John Nkengasong are Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Cameroon, Nigeria and Morocco.
What is an antibody test?
Antibody testing determines whether you had COVID-19 in the past and now have antibodies against the virus. A test to diagnose COVID-19 determines if you currently have the disease.
Why is this important?
Antibody testing is done after one has recovered from Covid-19. The sample is tested to determine whether you’ve developed antibodies against the virus. The immune system produces these antibodies — proteins that are critical for fighting and clearing out the virus.
If test results show that you have antibodies, it indicates that you were likely infected with COVID-19 at some time in the past. It may also mean that you have some immunity. But the World Health Organization cautions that there’s a lack of evidence on whether having antibodies means you’re protected against reinfection with COVID-19. The level of immunity and how long immunity lasts are not yet known. Ongoing studies will eventually reveal more data on this.
Dr Nkengasong added that a continental strategy was being developed to set up a consortium of clinical trials and then begin the procurement and financing of vaccines.
with information from Mayo Clinic
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