Philippine minister tests positive for virus for second time

[muriel_volestrangler]

A Philippine government minister has tested positive for coronavirus five months after an initial diagnosis, authorities said Monday, as experts investigate whether he had been re-infected.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano, who is helping to spearhead the country's virus response, said he returned a positive test on Saturday after experiencing flu-like symptoms last week.

He was first diagnosed with COVID-19 in March, but did not show any signs of the disease at the time.
...
"Let's not call it a re-infection. The scientific community has not yet accepted that a re-infection occurs," Vergeire cautioned.

https://news.yahoo.com/philippine-minister-tests-positive-virus-074945684.html

If he didn't show any symptoms the first time, but has the second, does that mean a mild infection the first time doesn't stimulate the immune system enough for long-term immunity? That might have implications on whether 1 or 2 rounds of vaccine are needed, for instance.

[SheltieLover]

1. Yikes another one!

Apparently no lasting immunity.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Here's what I can't figure out about the testing.

Is the test supposed to show if you have an active case? Or just that you were exposed and the virus is simply in your body?

The article does say that he had no symptoms five months ago when he was first tested, and apparently was re-tested because he was experiencing flu like symptoms. It also goes on to say this is probably not a re-infection, that re-infection simply doesn't seem to occur.

Somewhat like how the chicken pox virus stays in your body and can re-activate as shingles years later, it looks as if this virus can likewise stay in the body and simply act up again.

[Chichiri]

3. If this virus is like other viruses, then there's going to be a small group...

...who are vulnerable to reinfection even after they've been infected or vaccinated. This is why its important to protect as many as possible, so that those who can't be protected are safe.

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. true; I suppose what we need is a statistical study

to say how many appear to be benefitting from immunity, and how many have turned out to be vulnerable.