Norton projects that COVID-19 will become a seasonal virus similar to the flu, so even if summer seems to halt the outbreak in some areas, we may very well see its return in the fall.
Can You Be Reinfected with COVID-19?
Understandably so, many are wondering if reinfection is possible once you’ve had the coronavirus.
“At this point, we have to say it’s possible,” answers Norton, “but we don’t know the percentage of people that are going to continue to be susceptible.”
He explains that the 80 to 85 percent of people that will not have to be hospitalized upon contracting the virus will be more resistant than others. However, that doesn’t confirm that they will be totally resistant because we don’t have enough data yet to know how the immune reaction will be.
It’s an answer we won’t know for certain until the majority of the outbreak is over and scientists can do antibody testing.
Do I Need to Follow Social Distancing Guidelines if I’ve Recovered from COVID-19?
“The best idea is to stay home,” says Norton. With an abundance of questions about the coronavirus still left unanswered, including whether or not people can remain contagious after recovery, the safest bet is to continue following social distancing precautions.
