What’s new: Two students in the Guangdong province manufacturing hub of Shenzhen have tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time after initially contracting the pathogen earlier this year, Caixin has learned.
The unnamed students, who attend different schools, returned the second positive tests on Friday. Disease control authorities moved to rapidly trace and isolate classmates and teachers who were in close contact with the youngsters.
The background: A small number of people who have recovered from Covid-19 have later tested positive for the virus again. Scientists don’t know exactly what causes the phenomenon, although testing methods could be a factor.
Shenzhen’s health authorities said Saturday that most so-called “repeat positive” cases aren’t people hosting active viruses, but do still have some virus fragments that show up on so-called nucleic acid tests.
Research both from China and overseas suggests that it is unlikely that repeat positive cases will spark outbreaks among people they come into close contact with.
Contact reporter Matthew Walsh (matthewwalsh@caixin.com)
