U.S. Navy test shows 60% of carrier crew have coronavirus antibodies

U.S. Navy test shows 60% of carrier crew have coronavirus antibodies

In April, the Navy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started conducting serology tests to look for the presence of specific antibodies that are created by the immune system's attack response to the presence of the virus and remain in the blood for a period of time.

This report produced by Chris Dignam.

A U.S. Navy investigation into the spread of the coronavirus aboard the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier found that about 60 percent of sailors tested had antibodies for the virus, suggesting a far higher infection rate than previously known on one of world's largest warships.

That's according to two U.S. officials, who told Reuters exclusively on Monday that about 400 volunteers participated in the tests, the results for which appear to track closely with data from early April that showed 60 percent of the sailors who were testing positive for the virus itself - not antibodies - were symptom-free.

More than 1,100 aboard the ship tested positive for the virus in April, nearly a quarter of the 4,800 personnel on the Roosevelt.

One sailor from the ship died from the virus and several others were hospitalized.

But broadly, the sailors, who are generally healthier and younger, faired better than the general population and most showed no symptoms whatsoever.

"... Captain Brett Crozier, was relieved of command..." In early April, then-acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly fired the captain of the Roosevelt after the leak of a letter he wrote demanding action from the Navy for stronger measures to protect the crew, who later gave him a hero's ovation when he left the ship.

"Captain Crozier... Captain Crozier!" Less than a week later, Modly resigned after going aboard the carrier and questioning Crozier's character in a speech to the Roosevelt's crew.

The Navy has completed a broader review into the events leading to Crozier's firing and is expected to release the results of that investigation in the coming weeks.