Scientists at Public Health England studied tens of thousands of healthcare workers who'd been tested regularly since June.

Out of more than 6.5 1000 people who tested positive, They found that 42 were possibly reinfected on to probably reinfected.

That represents an 83% protection against reinfection.

But a past positive test doesn't mean you can relax on social distancing and other co vered rules.

Those antibodies might give you so called natural immunity for months, but you may still be able to carry the new coronavirus in your nose and throat and unwittingly pass it on.

Experts also warned that the findings mean that those who contracted the disease during the first wave of the pandemic back in early 2020 could now be vulnerable to catching it again.

They plan to keep monitoring to see if some people develop immunity for longer than five months.