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Austria: Ischgl residents show long-term coronavirus immunity

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Austria: Ischgl residents show long-term coronavirus immunity
Austria's Ischgl ski resort. Photo: DPA

Nine out of ten residents of Austria’s Ischgl ski resort who contracted coronavirus have retained a long-term immunity, a new study has found.

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Residents of the Austrian ski resort of Ischgl - one of Europe’s coronavirus hotspots in the first wave of the pandemic - still have a high antibody count, almost one year since the outbreak. 

The findings show that the immunity acquired after a coronavirus infection is relatively stable, reported Austrian news outlet ORF.  

Ischgl became the subject of international headlines after being the site of Europe’s first ‘superspreader’ event. 

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READ MORE: Austria's Ischgl ski resort 'mishandled coronavirus outbreak' 

Germany's Spiegel magazine called it "the party place which infected half of Europe". 

Nine in ten still have coronavirus antibodies

Around 90 percent of those who had antibodies after contracting the virus in April 2020 still had antibodies in November, a study from the Medical University of Innsbruck found. 

The study, published Thursday, was carried out in November among 900 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 89 from the picturesque Austrian village. 

Of the 900 tested, 801 still retained antibodies at least six months after first contracting the virus. 

“With their blood samples, the course of immunity was analysed using serological antibody tests and specific methods for measuring the cellular defence,” said study chief Wegene Borena. 

Relatively stable immune response, but no ‘herd immunity’

University President W. Wolfgang Fleischhacker welcomed the results, saying there was “finally some good news from Ischgl”. 

"The Medical University of Innsbruck can thus make a decisive contribution to the question of how long an immunity lasts after a SARS-CoV-2 infection," Fleischhacker said. 

The authors are however cautious to remind the public that herd immunity could not be assumed in the region, despite the rate of new infections during the autumn of 2020 - when a second wave swept through much of Austria - being less than one percent.

“Despite a slight decrease in the antibody concentration compared to the first study, we can speak of a relatively stable immunity. In just under 90 percent of those who tested positive in April 2020, antibodies could also be detected in November,” said immunologist Dorothee von Laer. 

She said distance rules and mask wearing would have also contributed to the low rate of new infections. 

Nevertheless, von Laer said the study's findings might show a way out of the pandemic. 

"Ischgl is a case of hope. Hope for an earlier return to normalcy."

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Anonymous 2021/02/18 17:59
Following this article, I'd like to know what is a "good" level of antibodies. I'd also like to know how many antibodies ist the equivalent of immunity from the vaccine.

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