Howie Severino tests both negative and positive for COVID-19 antibodies
Howie Severino tested both negative and positive as the GMA News pillar underwent a rapid test to be able to return to work and report from the GMA Network studio.
Howie Severino undergoes COVID-19 rapid test
According to Howie's social media post, he was told that he won't be immune from COVID-19 forever. Nonetheless, he found security and satisfaction that he remains to be positive for the IgG, indicating that he possesses antibodies that may protect him for future infection.
He took a rapid test on Thursday, July 16, to be cleared for work.
He opened up about his condition, saying, “When I survived COVID-19 last April, I thought the resulting immunity from having new antibodies was the one big consolation from being a statistic in a pandemic.
"I donated my plasma; I still walked around masked but with greater confidence that I wouldn't get infected again and be a danger to my family. I had peace of mind.
"Then this confounding new disease began throwing knuckle balls. There were isolated reports of possible reinfections, some local patients were losing their antibodies after just three months - they became vulnerable again to being attacked by viruses without those anti-viral warriors in their blood.
"Three months after leaving the hospital, I was warned by my doctor that I too might lose this protection any time.”
Howie shared his interesting result, relating how he feels even better than before his infection of the dreaded coronavirus disease. With his current state, he also expressed his intention to make another blood plasma donation for COVID-19 patients.
He continued, “I was negative for the IgM, the antibody that appears in response to a new infection; and I was positive for the IgG, an antibody that shows up later and stays after the virus has gone away.
"This was the best possible result for me: I was not infectious and I still had immunity. The plasma in my blood can still save the lives of others.”
Howie also made headlines recently as he got briefly apprehended for pulling down his face mask in public to take a drink.
The Kapuso broadcast journalist first shared the unfortunate news that he was COVID-19 positive early in April but he has reached full recovery after almost a month.