University of Arkansas to study antibodies in students, faculty

Springdale-based NOWDiagnostics will partner with the University of Arkansas to study the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies among students, staff and faculty, according to a Wednesday news release.

Why it matters: The study is designed to estimate the prevalence of antibodies in UA's population and evaluate if they change over time. This information can ultimately inform policy-makers' decisions related to re-opening businesses and schools.

• NOWDiagnostics received emergency use authorization last month from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a test that detects SARS-CoV-2 virus antibodies, the virus that causes COVID-19, in as little as 15 minutes.
• The presence of antibodies signals that a person was likely exposed to the virus at some point.

Details: The study is looking at overall prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in the UA population. Participants are asked if they previously had COVID-19 infection and if they have or have not received a vaccine.

• Because it's a scientific study, students, facility, and staff are randomly selected to receive an invite, and if they want to, they then can sign up. The objective is to test each person three times over a period of four months.