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Coronavirus live news: Hong Kong man's second Covid-19 infection gives rise to immunity concerns Coronavirus live news: Gaza declares lockdown after cases found outside quarantine zones
(32 minutes later)
Man cleared of virus in April but has now tested positive again; France to impose reciprocal quarantine on travellers returning from UKMan cleared of virus in April but has now tested positive again; France to impose reciprocal quarantine on travellers returning from UK
Americans who regularly cross the border from Mexico reported long wait times to re-enter the US on Monday after US officials imposed new Covid-19-related restrictions on cross-border travel by US citizens and permanent residents.
The US government closed lanes at select ports of entry on the border and began conducting more secondary checks to limit non-essential travel and slow the spread of the coronavirus, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said on Friday.
According to CBP data, wait times at some border crossings have since doubled or tripled. Many crossing points now have only one or two lanes of traffic open. On Monday, border-crossers reported up to 5-6 hour wait times.
Jess Herr, 30, a US citizen who lives in the Mexican border city of Tijuana and works at a restaurant in San Diego in southern California, said she usually wakes up at 4 am and crosses by car in about an hour to make her shift.
When she saw the long line of cars on Monday, she decided to cross by foot, although she still had to wait five hours to cross the border.
At the Cordoba bridge joining the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez with El Paso in Texas, only two lanes were open to motorists. Border-crossers who usually waited about 45 minutes told Reuters they had waited more than three hours to cross, and some were late for work.
Melissa Reyes, general manager for a nonprofit organisation, said she had waited 4 and a half hours to cross the border back into the United States over the weekend after going to Puerto Palomas in Mexico to do some shopping. Normally the wait time would be 15-20 minutes.
The new restrictions announced last week would prove challenging for people who live lives that span both sides of the border, she said. “It’s gonna be pretty devastating,” she added.
The US-Mexican border is the world’s busiest land border.
Before coronavirus restrictions at the border began in March, over 950,000 people entered the US from Mexico on foot or in cars on a typical day.
US president Donald Trump has implemented a series of sweeping policies to curb legal and illegal immigration in recent months, saying the moves are necessary to limit the spread of the coronavirus or preserve jobs for American workers.
In March, the US, Mexico and Canada agreed to bar non-essential travel across their shared borders, but the restrictions still allowed US citizens and permanent residents to return to the United States.
Delta Air Lines is set to furlough 1,941 pilots in October, the carrier said in a memo seen by Reuters that noted the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and plunging air travel demand.
In a memo to pilots, Delta’s head of flight operations John Laughter said there were roughly 11,200 active pilots still on Delta’s roster after a voluntary early departure program.
“We are simply overstaffed, and we are faced with an incredibly difficult decision,” Laughter said.
Based on network projections, Laughter said Delta would need some 9,450 active pilots for the summer 2021 schedule, which the carrier expects would be the peak flying for the next 12-18 months.
Delta had sent warnings of potential furloughs to 2,258 pilots, according to its pilot union.
Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro continued his attack on journalists during a public event on Monday, describing reporters as “wimps” and saying they have a heightened chance of dying of Covid-19 because they are not athletic.
The right-wing former army captain has long had a fractious relationship with the media, frequently singling out specific newspapers and journalists for his ire. His followers have also attacked journalists at rallies and other public events.
On Sunday, Bolsonaro told a reporter, “I want to punch you in the face,” after the reporter asked about thousands of dollars that were transferred into a bank account of the president’s wife by a former aide who is now the target of a corruption probe.
During the Monday event, titled Defeating Covid-19, Bolsonaro described his own experience battling the virus in July, crediting his use of unproven drug hydroxychloroquine and his self-described history as an athlete for his mild symptoms. He has previously said he believed his athletic past made him immune to the worst of the coronavirus.
“That history of an athlete, the press feasted on it, but when (Covid-19) gets one of you wimps, your chance of surviving is quite a bit lower,” Bolsonaro told reporters, using the Portuguese colloquial word bundao. He added:
Earlier this month, local media reported that the aide, Fabricio Queiroz, deposited 72,000 reais ($12,900) in checks into Michelle Bolsonaro’s account between 2011 and 2018.
Queiroz was an aide to now Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the president’s eldest son, when he was a Rio de Janeiro state legislator. The former aide has been arrested in an investigation into bank deposits made at the time, amounting to 1.2m reais.
The first cases of coronavirus have been detected outside of quarantine facilities within the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials have announced, a potentially disastrous development given the enclave’s fragile health system.The first cases of coronavirus have been detected outside of quarantine facilities within the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials have announced, a potentially disastrous development given the enclave’s fragile health system.
Four people from the same family have so far tested positive for coronavirus, Gaza’s interior ministry said as authorities imposed a 48-hour lockdown.Four people from the same family have so far tested positive for coronavirus, Gaza’s interior ministry said as authorities imposed a 48-hour lockdown.
“As soon as the virus cases were detected, the leadership of the interior ministry and the crisis unit held intensive meetings. It is currently in session and closely following all the details,” said interior ministry spokesman Iyad al-Bazam.“As soon as the virus cases were detected, the leadership of the interior ministry and the crisis unit held intensive meetings. It is currently in session and closely following all the details,” said interior ministry spokesman Iyad al-Bazam.
Hamas authorities urged Gazans to abide by the immediate shutdown, which includes the closure of workplaces, schools and mosques.Hamas authorities urged Gazans to abide by the immediate shutdown, which includes the closure of workplaces, schools and mosques.
Gaza has been under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007 and access to the enclave was further restricted following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Those granted permission to enter the strip have been held in special quarantine centres for three weeks.Gaza has been under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2007 and access to the enclave was further restricted following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Those granted permission to enter the strip have been held in special quarantine centres for three weeks.
There have been 109 coronavirus infections registered among those quarantined, with one death, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization.There have been 109 coronavirus infections registered among those quarantined, with one death, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization.
The arrival of coronavirus among the broader population in Gaza, a densely-populated area home to two million Palestinians, has been feared for months.The arrival of coronavirus among the broader population in Gaza, a densely-populated area home to two million Palestinians, has been feared for months.
Suhair Zakkout, a spokeswoman for the ICRC in Gaza, said a coronavirus outbreak would be “catastrophic”.Suhair Zakkout, a spokeswoman for the ICRC in Gaza, said a coronavirus outbreak would be “catastrophic”.
“The health system is already weakened by the restriction of movement, lack of financial resources, and the Palestinian internal differences,” she told the Guardian.“The health system is already weakened by the restriction of movement, lack of financial resources, and the Palestinian internal differences,” she told the Guardian.
Gaza is currently facing severe power shortages after Israel cut off fuel supplies in response to incendiary balloons being flown across the frontier, which have set farmland ablaze.Gaza is currently facing severe power shortages after Israel cut off fuel supplies in response to incendiary balloons being flown across the frontier, which have set farmland ablaze.
Rockets have also been fired from the enclave this month and the Israeli army has repeatedly struck Hamas targets, sparking concerns of a military escalation.Rockets have also been fired from the enclave this month and the Israeli army has repeatedly struck Hamas targets, sparking concerns of a military escalation.
Uganda has recalled its ambassador to Denmark and her deputy, after the pair were recorded apparently plotting in a Zoom meeting to steal funds meant to deal with the Covid-19 crisis.Uganda has recalled its ambassador to Denmark and her deputy, after the pair were recorded apparently plotting in a Zoom meeting to steal funds meant to deal with the Covid-19 crisis.
During the meeting, a video of which circulated on social media, the ambassador Nimisha Madhvani, her deputy and other staff members are heard devising a plot to share out money which was meant to aid stranded citizens.During the meeting, a video of which circulated on social media, the ambassador Nimisha Madhvani, her deputy and other staff members are heard devising a plot to share out money which was meant to aid stranded citizens.
They appear to suggest that instead of registering the money for Covid-19 use, it should be apportioned as an allowance over eight days for the diplomats.They appear to suggest that instead of registering the money for Covid-19 use, it should be apportioned as an allowance over eight days for the diplomats.
“Give yourselves $4,000...” deputy ambassador Elly Kamahungye is heard to say, admitting there would be “jumbled accounts” while recalling how diplomats were able to bribe auditors to shelve a previous probe into embassy accounts.“Give yourselves $4,000...” deputy ambassador Elly Kamahungye is heard to say, admitting there would be “jumbled accounts” while recalling how diplomats were able to bribe auditors to shelve a previous probe into embassy accounts.
Nimisha herself suggests that staff members “find a way” to use the money.Nimisha herself suggests that staff members “find a way” to use the money.
Uganda’s foreign ministry’s permanent secretary Patrick Mugoya pledged a full investigation in a statement on Monday, saying “the ministry wishes to express grave concern about the allegations ... and takes this matter seriously”.Uganda’s foreign ministry’s permanent secretary Patrick Mugoya pledged a full investigation in a statement on Monday, saying “the ministry wishes to express grave concern about the allegations ... and takes this matter seriously”.
“In the meantime, the officers implicated have been recalled to the ministry headquarters to pave way for the investigations.”“In the meantime, the officers implicated have been recalled to the ministry headquarters to pave way for the investigations.”
A Florida judge temporarily blocked governor Ron DeSantis and top education officials from forcing public schools to reopen brick-and-mortar classrooms amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, ruling that the states order arbitrarily disregards safety.A Florida judge temporarily blocked governor Ron DeSantis and top education officials from forcing public schools to reopen brick-and-mortar classrooms amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, ruling that the states order arbitrarily disregards safety.
In his ruling, Leon County judge Charles Dodson said the mandate to reopen schools usurped local control from school districts in deciding for themselves whether it was safe for students, teachers and staffers to return.In his ruling, Leon County judge Charles Dodson said the mandate to reopen schools usurped local control from school districts in deciding for themselves whether it was safe for students, teachers and staffers to return.
The Florida Education Association had sued the state after education commissioner Richard Corcoran issued an order earlier this summer mandating that schools reopen classrooms by 31 August or risk losing funding.The Florida Education Association had sued the state after education commissioner Richard Corcoran issued an order earlier this summer mandating that schools reopen classrooms by 31 August or risk losing funding.
The districts have no meaningful alternative, the judge wrote in his opinion.The districts have no meaningful alternative, the judge wrote in his opinion.
If an individual school district chooses safety, that is, delaying the start of schools until it individually determines it is safe to do so for its county, it risks losing state funding, even though every student is being taught, he ruled.If an individual school district chooses safety, that is, delaying the start of schools until it individually determines it is safe to do so for its county, it risks losing state funding, even though every student is being taught, he ruled.
As the outbreak began spreading across the state last spring, officials shuttered schools and teachers began providing instruction virtually to the states 2.9 million public school students.As the outbreak began spreading across the state last spring, officials shuttered schools and teachers began providing instruction virtually to the states 2.9 million public school students.
The Florida Education Association, which includes unions representing teachers and other school employees, expressed concerns about the ability of schools to keep children and teachers healthy.The Florida Education Association, which includes unions representing teachers and other school employees, expressed concerns about the ability of schools to keep children and teachers healthy.
The ruling came as Florida’s coronavirus spread appeared to be waning, although it still outpaces the ability of contact tracers to contain outbreaks.The ruling came as Florida’s coronavirus spread appeared to be waning, although it still outpaces the ability of contact tracers to contain outbreaks.
With several key metrics on the decline, the governor says Dolphins and Hurricanes fans can attend football games again, under careful conditions.With several key metrics on the decline, the governor says Dolphins and Hurricanes fans can attend football games again, under careful conditions.
State-provided statistics showed 4,655 people being treated for Covid-19 in Florida hospitals on Monday, less than half of the peaks above 9,500 a month ago.State-provided statistics showed 4,655 people being treated for Covid-19 in Florida hospitals on Monday, less than half of the peaks above 9,500 a month ago.
A total of 72 new deaths were reported, bringing the seven day average down to 123, the lowest rate in a month. Average daily increases in cases over the past week have declined to a level not seen since late June.A total of 72 new deaths were reported, bringing the seven day average down to 123, the lowest rate in a month. Average daily increases in cases over the past week have declined to a level not seen since late June.
Apple plans to start reopening US retail stores that have been closed over the past several weeks due a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, Bloomberg News has reported.Apple plans to start reopening US retail stores that have been closed over the past several weeks due a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, Bloomberg News has reported.
The company will open a small number of stores as soon as the end of August with most stores operating on an appointment-only basis for the immediate future, the report said.The company will open a small number of stores as soon as the end of August with most stores operating on an appointment-only basis for the immediate future, the report said.
An Amman summit between Jordan, Iraq and Egypt will go ahead on Tuesday with extra precautions, officials said, after Iraq’s telecommunications minister tested positive for Covid-19.An Amman summit between Jordan, Iraq and Egypt will go ahead on Tuesday with extra precautions, officials said, after Iraq’s telecommunications minister tested positive for Covid-19.
Minister Arkan al-Shaybani and fellow Iraqi officials were tested upon landing in Amman on Friday and the entire delegation was placed in confinement after the minister tested positive, according to a statement by Jordan’s information minister Amjad al-Adayla.Minister Arkan al-Shaybani and fellow Iraqi officials were tested upon landing in Amman on Friday and the entire delegation was placed in confinement after the minister tested positive, according to a statement by Jordan’s information minister Amjad al-Adayla.
“This required implementing medical procedures put in place to protect the health of our guest while he is in the kingdom,” Adayla said in comments reported by Jordan’s official Petra news agency.“This required implementing medical procedures put in place to protect the health of our guest while he is in the kingdom,” Adayla said in comments reported by Jordan’s official Petra news agency.
Shaybani was travelling to Amman for a tripartite summit on Tuesday between the leaders of Iraq, Jordan and Egypt to discuss trade, telecommunications and oil.Shaybani was travelling to Amman for a tripartite summit on Tuesday between the leaders of Iraq, Jordan and Egypt to discuss trade, telecommunications and oil.
The one-day meeting will bring King Abdullah II of Jordan and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi together with Iraqi prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi for the first time.The one-day meeting will bring King Abdullah II of Jordan and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi together with Iraqi prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi for the first time.
The gathering comes just days after Kadhemi’s return from Washington, which has long urged its allies in the region to band together against Iranian influence.The gathering comes just days after Kadhemi’s return from Washington, which has long urged its allies in the region to band together against Iranian influence.
Jordan, Egypt and Iraq have held similar meetings in the past two years, mostly focused on infrastructure and coordinating the fight against jihadists.Jordan, Egypt and Iraq have held similar meetings in the past two years, mostly focused on infrastructure and coordinating the fight against jihadists.
“The summit will still take place on Tuesday but the size of the delegations and the meeting times will be limited as a precautionary measure,” Kadhemi’s spokesman, Ahmad Mullal Talal, told AFP.“The summit will still take place on Tuesday but the size of the delegations and the meeting times will be limited as a precautionary measure,” Kadhemi’s spokesman, Ahmad Mullal Talal, told AFP.
Iraq’s coronavirus caseload neared 208,000, with deaths at nearly 6,500 - making it one of the hardest-hit countries in the Middle East.Iraq’s coronavirus caseload neared 208,000, with deaths at nearly 6,500 - making it one of the hardest-hit countries in the Middle East.
On Monday, the deputy speaker of Iraq’s parliament Hassan al-Kaabi also announced he had tested positive. Between lawmakers and their staff, there are more than 60 cases in parliament.On Monday, the deputy speaker of Iraq’s parliament Hassan al-Kaabi also announced he had tested positive. Between lawmakers and their staff, there are more than 60 cases in parliament.
The virus claimed the life of one Iraqi parliamentarian last month and a presidential adviser last week.The virus claimed the life of one Iraqi parliamentarian last month and a presidential adviser last week.
The World Health Organization has warned that Iraq’s cases are “exponentially rising to an alarming and worrying level, suggesting a major health crisis soon”.The World Health Organization has warned that Iraq’s cases are “exponentially rising to an alarming and worrying level, suggesting a major health crisis soon”.
Brussels is one of the European regions recording the fastest-growing surge of new coronavirus cases in recent weeks, state virologist Marc Van Ranst has said.Brussels is one of the European regions recording the fastest-growing surge of new coronavirus cases in recent weeks, state virologist Marc Van Ranst has said.
Brussels registered 997 new infections from 7-14 August, one of the fastest weekly spikes across Europe, according to data shared by Van Ranst on Twitter.Brussels registered 997 new infections from 7-14 August, one of the fastest weekly spikes across Europe, according to data shared by Van Ranst on Twitter.
“Brussels, together with large parts of Spain and Moldova, is in the top 10 regions with the largest Covid19 increase this week,” Van Ranst said. “The politicians of the Brussels-Capital Region should consider how they can either better enforce or tighten up the corona measures.”“Brussels, together with large parts of Spain and Moldova, is in the top 10 regions with the largest Covid19 increase this week,” Van Ranst said. “The politicians of the Brussels-Capital Region should consider how they can either better enforce or tighten up the corona measures.”
Authorities have been focusing on clusters in Antwerp, The Brussels Times reports, but Van Ranst suggested that measures adopted by local authorities have helped slow down the spread there.Authorities have been focusing on clusters in Antwerp, The Brussels Times reports, but Van Ranst suggested that measures adopted by local authorities have helped slow down the spread there.
The latest protective measures in Brussels mean it is now mandatory to wear a face mask in public, but officials have stopped short of stricter measures.The latest protective measures in Brussels mean it is now mandatory to wear a face mask in public, but officials have stopped short of stricter measures.
Germany has issued a travel warning for Paris and the French Cote d’Azur region due to rising coronavirus infections there, the foreign ministry in Berlin has said.Germany has issued a travel warning for Paris and the French Cote d’Azur region due to rising coronavirus infections there, the foreign ministry in Berlin has said.
The foreign ministry said it was warning against unnecessary tourist trips to the Île-de-France region, which includes the French capital, and the southern region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, which includes Marseille and Nice, due to the high number of infections.The foreign ministry said it was warning against unnecessary tourist trips to the Île-de-France region, which includes the French capital, and the southern region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, which includes Marseille and Nice, due to the high number of infections.
UEFA has ruled that Slovan Bratislava and FC Pristina have forfeited European qualifying matches called off after coronavirus outbreaks at the clubs.
Both were judged to have lost 3-0 and their opponents awarded places in the next round.
The Slovaks were scheduled to play Klaksvikar Itrottarfelag (KI) in the Faroe Islands, originally on 19 August and then on 21 August, in the first qualifying round, but the entire Bratislava team was quarantined by local authorities after two consecutive positive tests in two days for one of Slovan’s players.
Pristina, from Kosovo, were due to face Lincoln Red Imps in Gibraltar on 18 August in a Europa League preliminary round.
Their players tested negative before leaving Kosovo but were tested again when they arrived in Gibraltar and several members of the delegation showed positive and the entire team was quarantined.
The match was postponed from on 18 August until 22 August and the club was allowed to bring in additional players. Unfortunately, eight players among the reinforcements tested positive and the match cancelled.
In the next qualifying round, KI will face Swiss team Young Boys and Red Imps will play Union Titus Petange from Luxembourg.
Zoom, the video conferencing app that has proved very popular with people working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, has suffered a partial failure that left thousands of people in the US, UK and across the world unable to connect to work meetings or classes.
The California-based company behind the app apologised to customers and said it was working hard to fix the problem that had left users “unable to start and join Zoom meetings and webinars”.
“We are in the process of deploying a fix across our cloud. Service has been restored already for some users. We are continuing to roll this out to complete the fix for any users still impacted,” Zoom Video Communications said on its website on Monday.
The heightened use of the company’s video meeting software during the pandemichas sent its shares up more than 300% so far this year. More than 300 million people used the service in April at the height of global lockdowns.
The number of new, confirmed cases of Covid-19 in France has risen by 1,955 compared to the previous day, although the increase in new cases was less than in previous days.
The French health ministry said the number of deaths from Covid-19 had risen by 15 from the previous day to stand at 30,528 casualties, while the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases stands at 244,854.
France has the seventh-highest Covid-19 death toll in the world, and the government is monitoring the figures closely to see if any new restrictions or lockdowns are needed to curb the spread of the virus.
“The circulation of the virus is progressing markedly, and is at its most intense among young adults,” the ministry said in a statement.
The number of new cases was less than the 4,897 new cases registered on 23 August, although 22 new clusters had been discovered in the last 24 hours, added the ministry.
Hi everyone, this is Jessica Murray taking over the blog for the next few hours.
Please do get in touch with any story tips or personal experiences you would like to share:
Email: jessica.murray@theguardian.comTwitter: @journojess_
That’s all from me today. Jessica Murray will keep the blog warm throughout the evening. Here is a summary of what has been a fairly quiet day on the blog:
A Hong Kong man has caught Covid again four months after he recovered from his first bout, in what medics says is the first confirmed case of human re-infection.
Usain Bolt may or may not have Covid — but he is definitely self-isolating.
There is “very low evidence” that using blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors to treat other patients works, the World Health Organisation has warned.
Nevertheless, blood plasma treatment has been given green light in the US for patients who have recovered from Covid-19 as a treatment for the disease, a day after President Donald Trump blamed the agency for impeding the rollout of coronavirus vaccines for political reasons.
French health authorities have reported a “very worrying” outbreak of Covid-19 at a naturist resort. Around 100 holidaymakers at the camp at Cap d’Agde on the Mediterranean coast near Béziers, have tested positive for coronavirus so far.
Sweden’s chief epidemiologist says he is not expecting a severe second wave of Covid this winter.
Sean Ingle has more on Usain Bolt, who may or may not have Covid-19 but is certainly self isolating.
Paraguayans have reacted with indignation over a society wedding where scores of guests from the country’s political elite flouted social distancing rules and failed to wear obligatory facemasks, despite a surge of Covid-19 deaths in the country.
The lax official response to the wedding of the daughter of Horacio Cartes – a former president and one of the country’s wealthiest people – contrasts strongly with the police’s strict enforcement of lockdown rules, which has included the use of physical punishment and tasers.
Read the full report by my colleague William Costa here:
The sprinter’s video came after a Jamaican news outlet claimed he had tested positive for Covid-19.
Nationwide Network News reported that the retired star tested positive yesterday. Bolt does not confirm if that is true, but says took a test on Saturday and is isolating while he waits for the “protocol” on quarantining from the Ministry of Health.
On Friday Bolt attended his surprise birthday, along with celebrities including Manchester City footballer Raheem Sterling and Bayern Leverkusen winger, Leon Bailey.
In his Twitter video, Bolt said he would be contacting all his friends and telling them to quarantine “just to be safe”.
I’ve watched it several times now and am still not 100% sure if he is saying he has Covid or not. To be fair, he did say he had just woken up, so maybe he needs a coffee.
Here is the main quote — make of it what you will:
Usain Bolt has responded to media claims that he has tested positive for Covid-19.
He said he has no symptoms but is self isolating and did a test on Saturday, the day after his 34th birthday.
Watch this video for yourself and decide what he is saying. It’s not entirely clear whether he has Covid or not.
A Hong Kong man who recovered from Covid-19 was infected again four-and-a-half months later in the first documented instance of human re-infection, researchers at the University of Hong Kong said on Monday.
The findings indicate the disease, which has killed more than 800,000 people worldwide, will continue to spread amongst the global population despite herd immunity, they said.
The 33-year-old male was cleared of Covid-19 and discharged from a hospital in April, but tested positive again after returning from Spain via Britain on 15 August.
The patient had appeared to be previously healthy, researchers said in the paper, which was accepted by the international medical journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.
He was found to have contracted a different coronavirus strain from the one he had previously contracted and remained asymptomatic for the second infection.
“The finding does not mean taking vaccines will be useless,” Dr Kai-Wang To, one of the leading authors of the paper, told Reuters. “Immunity induced by vaccination can be different from those induced by natural infection,” To said. “[We] will need to wait for the results of the vaccine trials to see if how effective vaccines are.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said on Monday there was no need to jump to any conclusions in response to the Hong Kong case.
Instances of people discharged from hospitals and testing positive again for Covid-19 infection have been reported in mainland China.
However, in those cases it was not clear whether they had contracted the virus again after full recovery – as happened to the Hong Kong patient – or still had the virus in their body from the initial infection.
The preliminary number of patients in China who tested positive again once being discharged from hospital was 5-15%, Wang Guiqiang, an infectious disease specialist in China’s expert group for Covid-19 treatment, said during a press briefing in May.
One explanation was that the virus still existed in the lungs of patients but was not detected in samples taken from upper parts of the respiratory tract, he said. Other possible causes were low sensitivity of tests and weak immunity that could lead to persistent positive results, he added.