Top Infectious Disease Expert in China: "Positive Test After COVID-19 Recovery Is Due to Residual Virus in the Body"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Experts have suggested that the reason patients in China who were declared recovered from the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) later tested positive again in retests is due to the detection of residual virus in the body.

Zhong Nanshan, the top authority on infectious diseases in China and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, stated in an interview with the state-run CCTV on the 25th, "The standard for COVID-19 testing is to detect samples from the throat for examination," adding, "In some patients, the virus is detected in the anus or feces, but this is different from detecting active virus."

He continued, "In a small number of patients, nucleic acid fragments may be detected after discharge, which is not unusual," and added, "In such cases, it is advisable to extend the isolation period and then conduct retesting."

Regarding cases where patients test positive again after being declared recovered, Zhong Nanshan said, "While it cannot be considered an exception, it can be said to be a minority," and explained, "For example, if I undergo a throat swab test now and receive a negative result, have no symptoms, and show good condition on a computed tomography (CT) scan, then post-discharge quarantine observation is sufficient."

He also stated, "If policies are changed to require all patients to undergo anal testing before discharge because of such cases, it would only lead to patient congestion in hospitals," and added, "It is more effective to conduct close monitoring and manage these patients by categorizing them according to risk levels."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.