The fifth wave of the pandemic continues to rage, and the highly contagious Omicron has even seen the emergence of the BA.2 sub-variant. On 26 January, Imperial College London published a research report indicating that two-thirds of confirmed cases surveyed in the UK reported having recovered from an earlier wave of the pandemic, suggesting reinfection. Doctors have stated that it cannot be ruled out that similar situations could occur in Hong Kong.
Reinfection isn't necessarily mild; the situation varies from person to person.
Paediatric specialist Dr. Chan Yan-wing stated that the highly transmissible Omicron has recently mutated from BA.1 to BA.2, with its transmissibility also increasing. One of the reasons for the severe COVID-19 situation in the UK is the spread of Omicron BA.2.
Patients who have previously contracted Omicron BA.1 also have the chance of being infected by the new BA.2 virus. However, a UK study suggests that antibodies are produced in patients who have recovered from Omicron BA.1. Even if they contract Omicron BA.2 again, most patients will experience only mild symptoms. Another piece of data also indicates that reinfection within 90 days of recovery will not result in severe illness. Dr. Chan emphasised, "Although the figures suggest this, it absolutely does not mean that all reinfected individuals will only experience mild symptoms. It will still vary from person to person."
Rescheduling due to infection will not be affected.
Many parents or children have had to postpone their second or third dose due to a positive diagnosis. Dr. Chan pointed out that this will not affect the effectiveness of future vaccinations. Furthermore, a confirmed infection acts like a "powerful vaccination" where the body produces natural antibodies, thus there is no need for further vaccination in the short term after infection.
Even after recovery, full infection control measures must still be taken.
As for when infected children can return to their normal daily lives and go out, Dr. Chan suggests that if the children do not develop complications and only exhibit mild symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea, similar to those of a cold or flu, they will largely make a full recovery after their bodies produce antibodies. At that point, they can resume their normal lives.
Finally, Dr. Chan indicated that the projection that one in five people had been infected with the novel coronavirus would be very close to the final situation. Patients who have been infected with Omicron are not immune to re-infection, so both recovered patients and those who have not been infected must take full infection prevention measures. Basic measures such as minimising going out or to crowded places, correctly wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, and frequently washing and disinfecting hands are sufficient for ordinary citizens.
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