A Follow-Up Study Shows No New Infections Caused by Patients with Repeat Positive of COVID-19 in Wuhan

Background: It has been reported that a few recovered COVID-19 patients could suffer repeat positive, testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus again after they were discharged from hospital. Understanding the epidemiological characteristics of patients with repeat positive is vital in preventing a second wave of COVID-19. Methods: In this study, the epidemiological and clinical features for 20,280 COVID-19 patients from multiple centers between 31 December 2019 and 4 August 2020 in Wuhan were collected and followed. In addition, the RT-qPCR testing results for 4,079 individuals who had close contact with the patients suffering repeat positive were also obtained. Results: 2,466 (12.16%) of 20,280 patients presented with a repeat positive of SARS-CoV-2 after they were discharged from hospital. 4,079 individuals had close contact with them. The PCR result were negative for the 4,079 individuals. Conclusions: By a follow-up study in Wuhan, we show the basic characteristics of patients with repeat positive and no new infections caused by patients with repeat positive of COVID-19.