• April 27, 2020
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WHO: ‘No evidence’ recovery from COVID-19 prevents re-infection

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the public that those who have recovered from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are necessarily immune from catching a second infection. 

“There is no evidence yet that people who have had COVID-19 will not get a second infection,” read a scientific brief from the organisation published Friday, 24 April. 

This warning comes as some governments consider issuing “immunity passports” to those who have recovered from the viral disease, indicating that they are already safe and can resume normal lives. 

Chile, the first government to announce this measure, plans to base the issuance of such passports on antibody tests. This has raised concerns, as these tests have proven unreliable in other parts of the globe. The United States has also said that it is looking into this particular option as well.

“At this point in the pandemic, there is not enough evidence about the effectiveness of antibody-mediated immunity to guarantee the accuracy of an 'immunity passport' or 'risk-free certificate,'” said the WHO. The United Nations agency also cautioned that issuing such passports or certificates ignores public health guidance and could further increase the risk of COVID-19 spreading.