No evidence coronavirus cases are immune from reinfection – WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that there is no evidence that people who tested positive for the new coronavirus are immune and protected against reinfection. WHO’s warning suggested that the issuance of “immune passports” may promote the continued spread of the pandemic, adding that there is currently no evidence that people who have […]

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that there is no evidence that people who tested positive for the new coronavirus are immune and protected against reinfection.

WHO’s warning suggested that the issuance of “immune passports” may promote the continued spread of the pandemic, adding that there is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.

A statement from WHO said, “As of 24 April 2020, no study has evaluated whether the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 confers immunity to subsequent infection by this virus in humans.”

Some governments, wanting a gradual return to work and the resumption of economic activities, have put forward the idea of issuing documents attesting to the immunity of people on the basis of serological tests revealing the presence of antibodies in the blood.

“But the effectiveness of an immunisation thanks to antibodies has still not been established and the available scientific data do not justify the granting of an ‘immune passport’ or a “certificate of absence of risk,” WHO further warns.