The four patients were exposed to the novel coronavirus, called COVID-19, through their work as medical professionals in China. One patient was hospitalized, while the others were quarantined at home. They were all treated for the infection from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15, after which they all met the criteria for discharge from the hospital or discontinuation of quarantine.
The patients were then asked to continue the quarantine protocol at home for five days. They were tested five to 13 days later for COVID-19, and all were positive. They were not showing any symptoms when examined by clinicians, and chest CT findings showed no changes, but repeat tests also came back positive.
“These findings suggest that at least a proportion of recovered patients still may be virus carriers,” study authors wrote.
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