[AFP]Researchers in Hong Kong Monday identified what they said was the first confirmed case worldwide of Covid-19 reinfection, raising questions about the durability of immunity, whether acquired naturally or with a vaccine. "Our study proves that immunity for Covid infection is not lifelong -- in fact, reinfection can occur quite quickly," said Kelvin Kai-Wang To, a microbiologist at Hong Kong University's Faculty of Medicine and lead author of a forthcoming study that details the findings. The case came to light when a 33-year old resident of Hong Kong passed through mandatory screening earlier this month at the Hong Kong airport on his way back from Europe. This came as a surprise because the man had contracted -- and recovered from -- a Covid infection four-and-a-half months earlier, and was assumed to have immunity, especially after such a brief time since the infection. Indeed, the reinfection of the Hong Kong patient was complete asymptomatic.

Source: Standard Digital August 25, 2020 06:00 UTC