Gorgas identifies covid re-infection case

A case of reinfection of Covid-19 in the same person six months after being infected has been confirmed by Juan Pascale, director of the Gorgas  Institute

One of the scientists in charge of the research Sandra López, head of the Virology Research department. explained that “since June, doctors have reported possible cases of reinfection after having a second wave of clinical symptoms of Covid-19.

However, among all these possible reinfections it is necessary to have “the first and second sample and to carry out the scientific studies that show a reinfection”.

“In this case, it was possible to sequence the first and second virus determined that despite being of the same lineage, it has 20 different mutations, of the mutations of the second virus there are 10 changes in the virus proteins, that indicates that there is reinfection because the coronaviruses are genetically different, ”López explained.

 Alexander Martínez, head of the Genomics Department of Icges, assured that to confirm a case of reinfection there are criteria that patients must meet.

He added that it is not a question of “persistence of the first virus, that is, there may be cases that the person remains with the first virus for up to six months, they are exceptional cases, but they can occur.”