NEW DELHI: Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, said that one of the many scientific studies under consideration of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), indicates that COVID-19 immunity lasts from 5 months to 1 year. He said, “However, our suggestion is that even if a person has recovered from COVID-19, he/she must follow social distancing, wear face masks and sanitize his/her hands regularly.”
Dr. Balram Bhargava, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), also said, “Coronavirus is a new disease. It is only 7-8 months old so we do not know how long immunity against it will persist. There are several studies being done across the world to look at how long the antibodies persist.”
As per data released by the MoHFW, one of every six people who are infected by coronavirus get seriously ill and are symptomatic. Older people, and those who have underlying medical conditions like diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.