Patients in quarantine testing 'positive again' after recovering from COVID-19

Kim Jong-hyo, Deputy Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, is giving a briefing related to COVID-19.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] A COVID-19 confirmed patient in Gwangju tested positive again after being discharged.

According to Gwangju Metropolitan City and health authorities on the 12th, patient A (Gwangju case No. 3), who was discharged after completing treatment at Chonnam National University Hospital on the 5th and was quarantined at the Gwangju Fire Academy dormitory, tested positive in a test conducted before the end of quarantine.

A is currently being transferred back to Chonnam National University Hospital for treatment.

A negative COVID-19 test result is given when the virus detected in the body is below the standard value in tests conducted at 24-hour intervals.

Experts explain that even if a negative result is given, it does not mean the virus has completely disappeared from the body, and the virus may multiply during the quarantine period after discharge, resulting in a positive test again.

A health official said, "It is necessary to investigate whether the virus in the body, which dropped below the standard value, has multiplied again or if there was another source of infection during the quarantine period."

Meanwhile, A attended a worship service at the Shincheonji Church in Daegu on the 16th of last month and was confirmed positive on the 20th of the same month. Afterward, he was isolated and treated at Chonnam National University Hospital, and two negative results were confirmed in polymerase chain reaction tests conducted at 24-hour intervals. He was discharged on the 5th and was scheduled to be quarantined at the Gwangju Fire Academy until the 11th.

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