The World Health Organization is backing off its since-deleted tweet "there is no evidence" those who have recovered from the coronavirus have developed an immunity.
The WHO is now saying, via a Saturday tweet that has not been deleted:
"We expect that most people who are infected with #COVID19 will develop an antibody response that will provide some level of protection."
The WHO was inclined to respond because their since-deleted tweet "caused concern & we would like to clarify."
The deleted tweet read, according to The Washington Times reported:
"There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from #COVID19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection."
The tweet was intended to warn against nations "immunity passports" to those with COVID-19 antibodies.
"Some governments have suggested that the detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could serve as the basis for an 'immunity passport' or 'risk-free certificate,'" the WHO press release stated. "There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection."
The WHO has further clarified from that original statement, via Twitter:
"What we don't yet know is the level of protection or how long it will last. We are working with scientists around the world to better understand the body's response to #COVID19 infection. So far, no studies have answered these important questions."
The WHO is under fire amid the global coronavirus pandemic, namely from its No. 1 funding source, the United States, because President Donald Trump has called for a halt to funding, pending a review of their leadership, COVID-19 response, and ties to China propaganda.