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Hailed as Route to Return to Normal, Antibody Tests Disappoint

VOA News

   In April, during the height of the coronavirus lockdown, Trump
   administration health experts hailed a test that would confirm if
   someone had already had the virus and therefore couldn't get sick
   again.

   The antibody test would show who might have "the wonderful, beautiful
   immunity," President Donald Trump said was needed to get the nation
   working again.

   Months later, the tests exist but haven't fulfilled their promise of
   allowing Americans to reclaim their lives, said Dr. Jennifer Rakeman of
   New York City's Public Health Laboratory.

   In fighting off the virus, the body makes antibodies, which the tests
   measure. Unfortunately, scientists are still figuring out how well and
   for how long antibodies provide the immunity that protects against
   another infection by the coronavirus.

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