Part 2/8:
Most COVID-19 testing during the pandemic has focused on detecting the virus itself, often through nasal swabs that reveal active infection. However, a negative result does not necessarily mean a person has never been infected; it might simply mean the virus is no longer present in their body. This is where antibody testing becomes crucial.
Antibody tests reveal whether an individual has previously been exposed to the virus and has developed an immune response. This can help scientists and public health officials estimate how many people have already been infected—many of whom might have experienced mild symptoms or none at all.