There have been cases where patients who recovered from COVID-19 tested positive for the infection yet again. The causes and effect of such cases of relapse or reinfection in the second hospitalisation are

 yet to be studied, but doctors here said there were very minimal cases of complications.

 According to Dr P Vasanthamani, Dean, Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, the experts are not yet sure if these were indeed reinfection or relapse cases, or dead viruses showing up in the test. “The cases are less complicated and many of them are even asymptomatic cases with minor issues of cough or fever. The cases are being managed easily. But more academic research has to be done on reinfection cases to find out the responsible factors,” she said.

 The authorities at government hospitals in the city said that no fatalities have been reported so far in such cases, adding that they are able to cure reinfection cases within a period of 7-10 days.

 Dr E Theranirajan, Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, said there were very few cases of reinfection or relapse among those who were treated at the hospital. “Three persons who had reinfection were discharged recently from RGGGH. They usually don’t present any severe complications, irrespective of the comorbidities of the patient. So far, no deaths have been reported in reinfection cases at the hospital,” he said.

 Similar cases have been witnessed at Omandurar Government General Hospital, including a few cases of elderly patients testing positive for reinfection. But all the cases have been managed well, said doctors.

 “About 10 reinfection cases were reported recently, all of which were treated successfully. While some of them had mild symptoms, others were asymptomatic. Cough, loss of smell and fatigue are the common symptoms in such cases,” said Dr Ramesh, nodal officer at the hospital.