20% of Chicagoans in blood-test study came up positive for coronavirus antibodies
Nearly 1 in 5 Chicago residents who sent blood-spot samples to Northwestern University researchers tested positive for antibodies to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, according to preliminary results of an ongoing study.
© Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune/TNS
Thomas McDade, a biological anthropology professor at Northwestern University, holds blood samples in June from research participants in a study for coronavirus antibodies.
![a man standing in a kitchen preparing food: Thomas McDade, a biological anthropology professor at Northwestern University, holds blood samples in June from research participants in a study for coronavirus antibodies.](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB19R4zN.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB19R4zN.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB19R4zN.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
That 20% infection rate is higher than the scientists anticipated based on earlier research, said Dr. Elizabeth McNally, director of the Center for Genetic Medicine at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. One study by other Northwestern researchers tested hospital workers from across the Chicago region and found antibodies in less than 5%.
© Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune/TNS
Thomas McDade, a biological anthropology professor at Northwestern University, shows blood samples in June from research participants in a study for coronavirus antibodies.
![a stack of flyers on a table: Thomas McDade, a biological anthropology professor at Northwestern University, shows blood samples in June from research participants in a study for coronavirus antibodies.](https://www.msn.com/{"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB19R6sG.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB19R6sG.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/BB19R6sG.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f"}})
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