The University of Washington will test a random sample of 7,000 people across Washington state for COVID-19 and related antibodies multiple times over eight months in a new effort to better understand the true spread of the disease across the state.
The approach is intended to provide a more statistically accurate picture of the disease than existing testing, which includes a disproportionate number of people who believe they may have been exposed to the disease, potentially skewing the results due to self-selection. The study, announced this morning by the Washington state Department of Health and UW Medicine, will be funded by a $3.4 million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
Researchers will find participants from communities across the state, including people from rural and urban areas, with an emphasis on ensuring full representation across diverse socioeconomic and racial groups. Participants will first receive a COVID-19 diagnostic test, to determine if they currently have COVID-19, followed by three serologic tests to detect antibodies indicating a past infection.
State officials say the study will help to inform future decisions on safety guidelines and other initiatives to slow and stop the disease.
Another goal is to determine the extent to which antibodies protect people from contracting the disease a second time.
The first results from the study are expected to be released this fall.
Developing story, more to come.
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