Here’s a Scary Coronavirus Update – A Case of Reinfection is Confirmed

More research is still needed before we reach any conclusions

Hardly a week goes by when we don’t have a coronavirus update for you. This time, the news is scary. A healthy 33-year-old man from Hong Kong has been reinfected with the virus. It clearly suggests that one exposure to the deadly virus might not offer full immunity the second time. Experts believe that though the reinfection is bad news, more research is still needed before we reach any conclusions.

 

The latest coronavirus update, reported by New York Times, the person tested positive for coronavirus on 15 August after a mandatory airport screening. He first fell ill in April, about four months back. Researchers from the University of Hong Kong have confirmed that the person was infected with a different strain of coronavirus and was completely asymptomatic this time. When he was first infected, he suffered from a cough, fever, sore throat, and headaches for three days but recovered quickly.

 

An immunologist, Akiko Iwasaki, shared her opinion regarding the coronavirus update of reinfection. She said that these findings could be considered a textbook example of how viral immunity plays out. Though the man’s antibody response seems to be strong enough to ensure that the virus didn’t turn into a full-blown illness, it wasn’t able to stave off the infection completely.

 

Hong Kong researchers want an effective vaccine (Us, we’re waiting on the Oxford vaccine) that should prevent the disease and stop the infection. They said so after this recent coronavirus update. They also advocated social distancing to control coronavirus. The researchers said, “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.”

 

Before you start panicking about this sad coronavirus update, you should know that about 23 million people have tested positive for rona worldwide, and it’s the first case of reinfection. So, if you feel ill, you should follow the standard rules like social distancing and wearing a face mask when needed. Do not panic regarding this coronavirus update, but there’s no harm in being extra cautious. Panic will do you no good, but caution will.