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The Sydney Morning Herald
Researchers announce 'world's first' confirmed case of coronavirus reinfection
For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.
By Bevan Shields
August 25, 2020 — 3.06am
London: Researchers claim to have confirmed the world's first case of a coronavirus reinfection, in a discovery with far-reaching consequences for the fight against the pandemic.
The 33-year-old IT worker was struck down by the disease in Hong Kong during the first wave of the pandemic, but recovered and was discharged in mid-April. However, he tested positive again in mid-August — some 142 days later — after travelling through Spain and the United Kingdom.
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Researchers analysed the genome sequence to confirm that the man had been infected by two different strains, effectively ruling out the possibility that his illness in August was related to the earlier bout.
The discovery is important because it adds to growing concerns that antibodies in some patients may only last as little as four months.
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Researchers from Hong Kong University's microbiology department said the case also casts doubt over whether herd immunity can ever eliminate the virus, and suggests vaccines won't offer a lifetime shield against the disease.
The scientific community said the development was concerning but unsurprising given COVID-19 is a new disease and very little is known about how it behaves.
Previous claims of reinfection — particularly in mainland China — have either been traced back to the initial illness or not scientifically proven.
Experts discovered this latest case when the man returned to Hong Kong on August 15 after travelling in Spain and the UK, some of the world's worst-affected nations.
His saliva sample at Hong Kong airport returned a positive reading and he was hospitalised. However, he showed no symptoms at the time and never developed them.
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The researchers said a previous study of reinfection in monkeys also showed a milder illness the second time around.
The man's asymptomatic status may give medical experts hope that reinfections will be less severe, however asymptomatic carriers are still able to pass COVID-19 on to others.
"This case illustrates that reinfection can occur just after a few months of recovery from the first infection," the Hong Kong team said.
"Our findings suggest that [the virus] may persist in the global human population as is the case for other common cold-associated human coronaviruses, even if patients have acquired immunity via natural infection.
"Since the immunity can be short lasting after natural infection, vaccination should also be considered for those with one episode of infection.
"Patients with previous COVID-19 infection should also comply with epidemiological control measures such as universal masking and social distancing."
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