Hong Kong Reports First Coronavirus Reinfection, Infected By Two Different Strains
Hong Kong has reported a first coronavirus reinfection case after a man who had recovered from the virus tested positive upon returning from Europe.
The 33-year-old had recovered from the virus around April and the second infection and scientists have said this was the first case showing that re-infection may occur within a few months.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong used genomic sequence analysis to prove that he had been infected by two different strains.
They also said the information technology worker did not develop any symptoms from his second infection, which might indicate “subsequent infections may be milder.”
Kwok-Yung Yuen and colleagues said Monday in a paper accepted for publication in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases said:
Our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may persist in humans.
The researchers also said findings also suggest SARS-CoV-2 is reminiscent of the coronaviruses that cause the common cold and may continue to circulate “even if patients have acquired immunity via natural infection or via vaccination.”
Meanwhile, the University of Bologna says the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2, has evolved to at least six strains or forms which, however, are not too different.
More: Bloomberg
