Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 infections and their potential risk to public health - a systematic review.
Abrokwa, Seth Kofi;
Müller, Sophie Alice;
Méndez-Brito, Alba;
Hanefeld, Johanna;
El Bcheraoui, Charbel;
(2021)
Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 infections and their potential risk to public health - a systematic review.
PloS one, 16 (12).
e0261221-.
ISSN 1932-6203
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261221
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OBJECTIVE: To inform quarantine and contact-tracing policies concerning re-positive cases-cases testing positive among those recovered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically reviewed and appraised relevant literature from PubMed and Embase for the extent of re-positive cases and their epidemiological characteristics. RESULTS: In 90 case reports/series, a total of 276 re-positive cases were found. Among confirmed reinfections, 50% occurred within 90 days from recovery. Four reports related onward transmission. In thirty-five observational studies, rate of re-positives ranged from zero to 50% with no onward transmissions reported. In eight reviews, pooled recurrence rate ranged from 12% to 17.7%. Probability of re-positive increased with several factors. CONCLUSION: Recurrence of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test is commonly reported within the first weeks following recovery from a first infection.