Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

August 31, 2020

COVID-19 Re-Infection by a Phylogenetically Distinct SARS-Coronavirus-2 Strain Confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing

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  • A second episode of infection following recovery from an initial SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed in a patient from Hong Kong who was re-infected after traveling to Europe. The two episodes were confirmed by sequencing of the viral strains from each episode, which occurred 4.5 months apart. The patient was described as being in good health at the time of the initial infection. During the first episode, the patient presented with cough and sputum, sore throat, fever and headache for 3 days. The second episode was detected by routine entry screening upon return to Hong Kong and the patient was asymptomatic.

To et al. (Aug 25, 2020). COVID-19 Re-Infection by a Phylogenetically Distinct SARS-Coronavirus-2 Strain Confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1275