People sickened with COVID-19 produce "high-quality" antibodies against the virus five to seven months after they become infected, according to an analysis published Tuesday by the journal Immunity. The findings suggest that those infected with the new coronavirus potentially can develop long-lasting immunity to it, researchers from the University of Arizona Health Sciences said.

Immunity against COVID-19 may persist for at least five months after being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a study led by an Indian-origin researcher in the US. The researchers from the University of Arizona Health Sciences studied the production of antibodies from a sample of nearly 6,000 people infected with the novel coronavirus.

A study from the University of Arizona Health Sciences study shows COVID-19 antibodies provide lasting immunity.

COVID-19 patients may produce antibodies for at least five months after initial infection, according to a study published in the journal Immunity. Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences in Tucson analyzed antibody production from 5,882 blood samples collected in Arizona's Pima County as part of a larger effort to create and validate a COVID-19 antibody test.

Researchers developed one of the most accurate COVID-19 antibody tests available and now have shown antibodies persist for months after infection, providing long-term immunity.

A study by researchers from the University of Arizona Health Sciences published in the journal Pain showed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus causing COV-19, has the ability to relieve pain. This finding may explain why almost half of the people who get infected with COVID-19 experience only a few symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, the lack of symptoms does not make them less contagious because they can still spread the virus.

To pay tribute to the contributions of its honorees, the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona will be holding “The 20 Days for 20 Years” celebration.

As the price tag of cyberattacks on healthcare continues to rise, radiology looks to bolster its defenses. “Not a week goes by that you don’t hear about a hospital system that’s been impacted by a malicious software attack,” said James Whitfill, M.D., chief transformation officer and vice president of Honor Health and clinical associate professor of internal medicine and bioinformatics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. “Our radiology departments and practices, in general, need to have a heightened sense of awareness.”

Continuing coverage: Q&A with Environmental microbiologists and public health researchers at the University of Arizona: Kelly Reynolds, professor and chair of the Community, Environment and Policy Department at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and Charles Gerba, an environmental microbiologist from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

More nightclubs in Scottsdale reopened this weekend after being shut down for reportedly violating COVID-19 guidelines. Dr. Shad Marvasti, director of public health, prevention and health promotion with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, said regulation will be crucial. Even with guidelines in place, he said it is important to know the risks. "Any event that you do, with or without the mask, if you do something indoors versus outdoors, there is six times the increased likelihood of spreading it or getting it," Marvasti said.