Highlights
- Reinfection was first described via a case from Hong Kong: ICMR
- 2 cases in Mumbai and 1 in Ahmedabad were described as reinfection: ICMR
- The definition of reinfection still not decided by WHO: ICMR
New Delhi: Three cases of suspected coronavirus reinfection – two in Mumbai and one in Ahmedabad – have been “described” in India, the country’s apex medical research body said on Tuesday. Director General Balram Bhargava said the Indian Council of Medical Research had decided upon a cutoff of 100 days for reinfection if it occurs as, according to some studies, antibodies were also assumed to have a life of four months.
Reinfection was a problem which was first described via a case from Hong Kong. Subsequently a few cases were described in India – two in Mumbai and one in Ahmedabad, Dr Bhargava said at a press conference here. We have got some data from the WHO, which says that there are about two dozen reinfection cases in the world at the moment, he said. We are looking at the ICMR database and finding out those who have had reinfection and making telephonic contact to get some data out of them.
The definition of reinfection, whether it is 90 days, 100 days or 110 days, is still not decided even by the World Health Organization, according to Dr Bhargava. However, the government is taking the cutoff of about 100 days if reinfection occurs because that is “what we have assumed as the life of antibodies”, the official said.
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“So it’s work in progress.” Referring to reports of reinfection surfacing in various states, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had said on Sunday an analysis by the ICMR had revealed that many cases reported as COVID-19 reinfection had been “mis-classified” because the RT-PCR tests could detect dead virus shed for prolonged periods after recovery.
Actual reinfection would mean a fully-recovered person getting infected by a freshly-introduced virus in his/her body, belonging to the same or different strain. ICMR is commissioning a study to understand the true burden of reinfected cases. Results will be shared in a couple of weeks, he had said.
Also Read: Ramping Up Cold Storage Facilities Critical As India Preps For COVID-19 Vaccine: Experts
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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