Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with protection against symptomatic reinfection

J Infect. 2021 Apr;82(4):e29-e30. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.12.023. Epub 2020 Dec 26.

¹ Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle University and The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
² Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomThe Newcastle Hospitals HCW Testing Group(1).
³ Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United KingdomThe Newcastle Hospitals HCW Testing Group(1). Electronic address: christopher.duncan@newcastle.ac.uk.

Abstract

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Whether SARS-CoV-2 infection confers immunity to reinfection is uncertain.
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The ‘second wave’ of transmission offered an opportunity to examine this.
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We observed no symptomatic reinfections in a cohort of healthcare workers.
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This apparent immunity to re-infection was maintained for at least 6 months.
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Further studies are required to define immunological mechanism(s) and durability.

Keywords: Antibody; COVID-19; Healthcare workers; Immunity; Protection.