Both the Marion and Clinton County Health Departments say they are beginning to receive reports of those who have recovered from COVID-19 getting the disease again.
Marion County Health Department Administrator Melissa Mallow says they have had four cases reported so far. The first three were asymptomatic during their second infection and the virus was caught during a routine testing or to prepare for surgery at a hospital.
However, a health care worker who had developed full symptoms again confirmed reinfection during the rapid test at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy on Thursday. Pharmacist Craig Morton says the reinfection came just under 90 days after she recovered the first time. Mallow says additional testing is planned on the case.
Meanwhile, in Clinton County, Health Department spokesperson Louise McMinn says they have also seen several cases of reinfection. They range from asymptomatic to similar symptoms to different and sometimes more severe symptoms. Because research is limited, McMinn says it is not clear if there could be more than one strain of COVID-19 that could result in getting it a second time.
She says there would probably be more confirmed cases of reinfection, but says since many never received negative tests after their first bout with COVID-19 they can’t be listed as reinfected.
Mallow notes the hope is with the two vaccine inoculation for COVID-19 21 days apart will result in a longer term protection against the disease, but she notes without research being completed yet no one knows for sure.
As a result of the potential for reinfection, Mallow says all those who have recovered from COVID-19 are asked to continue to follow the prevention guidelines of wearing a mask, social distance, and complete frequent hand washing.
