Taiwan is seeing another rise in COVID-19 cases, making some question government plans to open borders to international travel on October 13. But doctors point out that there are other factors to consider besides new infection numbers. Among them are reinfections and the so-called COVID rebound.
Despite life quickly returning to pre-pandemic normal in Taiwan, the COVID-19 virus still remains prevalent. High infection numbers are not the only thing coming back — many patients see the return of symptoms and even positive test results shortly after recovery.
Pediatrician Wu Chang-teng says a significant number of children develop a fever, cough, and other respiratory symptoms between seven and 15 days after recovery. This could be the so-called COVID rebound.
According to US Centers for Disease Control and Nature magazine’s recent publications, around 27% of untreated COVID patients experience what’s called a symptom rebound after seemingly having recovered from the disease. Another 12% see a viral rebound, meaning they still test positive for the COVID-19 virus in their systems. Between two and four percent experience both viral and symptom rebounds after initial improvement.
Pediatrician Huang Li-min says more research into the problem is needed. He says a rebound occurs only if the same strain of the virus can be found initially and when symptoms return. If two different strains are responsible, it’s a case of reinfection instead.
The exact causes for such a frequent occurrence of COVID rebound are still under investigation. For the time being, it seems vaccinations are still the best way to protect oneself from the virus. Taiwan is gradually widening the scope of people eligible for next-generation Moderna vaccines across the country. Registrations for all adults opened late this week in Taipei and New Taipei, with other cities and counties set to open their systems early next week.
New infection and rebound statistics show us that science is still a long way from fully understanding the COVID-19 virus.
Tomasz Koper, RTI News