WHO says it’s rare, but possible, people who’ve recovered from the coronavirus can get it again
The World Health Organization’s Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove talks during a daily press briefing on Covid-19. on March 11, 2020.
Fabrice Coffrini | AFP via Getty Images
Though rare, it’s possible that people who have recovered from Covid-19 could be reinfected again, as a recent Hong Kong study suggests, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.
On Monday, researchers released a study that found what appears to be the first documented cases of Covid-19 reinfection in a 33-year-old man. The man was first infected in late March and then again roughly four and half months later, according to STAT News.
“It doesn’t mean that it’s happening a lot, we know that it’s possible,” Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said during a live Q&A session. “It is something that we knew could be possible based on our experience with other human coronaviruses.”
While much is still unknown about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, researchers do know that people who are infected do develop some antibody response against the disease once recovered. However, they don’t yet know how long that immunity lasts, Kerkhove said.
“This is one example out of 23.5 million cases so far, but we expect that people who are infected do develop an antibody response, they do develop an immune response that lasts for some time, so we’re learning.”
She reiterated that no matter whether someone has been infected or not, they should continue following suggested social distancing guidelines, wearing face coverings and follow other recommended health precautions.
This is a developing story. Please check back later for updates.
