This archive report was first published on 24 August 2020.
On August 24, 2020, Hong Kong scientists made a groundbreaking announcement: they had confirmed the first case of coronavirus re-infection, four and a half months after the initial infection.
After analyzing the genome sequence, they found that the second virus was distinct from the first, sparking concerns about the strength of the immune response and the need for multiple vaccines to protect against the novel virus.
The World Health Organization (WHO) cautioned against drawing conclusions from a single incident, emphasizing the need for further research and scientific publication to clarify the implications of re-infection.
Interestingly, the re-infected patients were reportedly asymptomatic, adding to the mystery surrounding the phenomenon.
Just hours before the announcement, US President Donald Trump had authorized the widespread use of blood plasma treatment against COVID-19, a move that was met with skepticism by critics and the WHO, who questioned its effectiveness.
