Scientists from Chongqing Medical University in China have discovered that the novel coronavirus can survive in a patient’s body even after they appear to have recovered.
Specialists at the university found that those who recovered from coronavirus may carry viral particles deep in their lungs, particles that cannot be detected by conventional testing methods.
Chinese scientists studied a patient who underwent a course of treatment and was tested for the virus three times, with all three tests showing negative results.
Doctors performed a CT scan on the patient and were about to discharge her from the hospital. However, the patient died unexpectedly the next day due to a heart attack.
After performing an autopsy, the scientists found the remains of coronavirus molecules on tissues deep in the lungs, even though the patient’s liver, heart, intestines and bone marrow were all completely clear of the virus.
Remarkably, the scientists found that the virus particles hidden in the deep in the lungs did not cause any clear symptoms.
Researchers believe that this may explain the cases in which coronavirus patients who were considered to have recovered show a return of symptoms.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
