As countries are re-opening even amid the ongoing novel coronavirus battle, experts are warning everyone of the imminent second wave of the virus, and it does seem to be happening with countries that re-opened too soon, such as China and South Korea.
Recovered People Testing Positive for COVID-19 Again
Besides new cases of COVID-19 emerging, it appears as though some recovered patients in South Korea tested positive for the viral infection for a second time.
The news of the possibility of re-infection sparked fear, but it now seems like those who tested positive for a second time can have a sigh of relief as some experts say they may not be infectious.
In a report by Bloomberg, scientists from the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are finding evidence that patients who tested positive once more for the COVID-19 aren't capable of transmitting the virus, unlike the first time they were infected.
In addition, the researchers have also discovered that they are forming antibodies that could prevent them from falling ill from the SARS-CoV-2 or the novel coronavirus.
Not Infectious
The result came after the South Korean researchers studied 285 patients that were seemingly re-infected from the virus as they tested positive again despite previous negative results, which means they should have recovered.
The "re-infected" patients weren't able to spread any lingering infection they have.
Perhaps the most interesting thing of all is that the samples of the pathogens gathered from them can't be cultured in a laboratory.
With that, the researchers believe that these people were shedding either dead or noninfectious particles.
"There have been no secondary infections from people who came in contact with the relapsed patients so far," said Yoon Tae-ho, a senior health ministry official. "We have not found evidence that those cases are contagious."
In a report by FOX News, South Korean health officials will be removing those who have recovered from COVID-19 from being considered as infectious, thanks to the evidence they found.
Instead, these people will be referred to as "PCR re-detected after discharge from isolation."
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Proof of Coronavirus Immunity
In addition, the new protocol regarding them states that there will be no need for additional tests after a patient has been discharged from isolation.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have built a reputation that they are unable to distinguish dead and living virus particles, which is why those who recovered have tested positive once again.
Basically, the PCR tests conducted to them were picking up "inert viral genetic debris left over from the previous infection."
This could be good news for countries hoping to re-open after their attempt at flattening the curve.
It could also help with antibody debates as some experts are looking for proof that immunity is possible with the formation of COVID-19 antibodies, which are found in recovered patients.
They also don't know how long immunity will last.
Nevertheless, recent research from a biotech company in collaboration with the University of Washington School of Medicine found an antibody in a former SARS patient that could block SARS-CoV-2.
The person recovered from SARS 17 years ago.
