THERE are worrying developments in the new coronavirus (Covid-19) scene that may derail the search for an end to the pandemic.
Health experts are baffled by at least two such developments. Some of those who recovered from the disease are getting infected again, and patients in their 30s and 40s suffer from strokes possibly caused by the new coronavirus without them showing any of the Covid-19 symptoms.
If medical experts and scientists are still grappling with their understanding of the virus, then the search for a vaccine has a long way to go.
The World Health Organization (WHO) admitted over the weekend the possibility that those who recovered from the Covid-19 may get infected again. It said there is no evidence that recovered individuals have the antibodies that protected them against reinfection.
It issued the statement after it learned that some governments are issuing “immunity passports” or certificates to recovered patients. It said there is no guarantee they would not have a second infection. The WHO also pointed to the risks of transmission when recovered individuals no longer take precautions against the virus.
The second development that is worrying doctors and scientists is the suspicion that the novel coronavirus is causing people in their 30s and 40s to suffer from sudden strokes. These are adults who have not shown symptoms of the Covid-19 but are found positive for the virus. Doctors said their infection is causing blood clots to form in their bodies, resulting in a stroke. A stroke is when a blood clot enters the brain, cutting blood supply and causing brain cells to die.
A stroke can cause death.
In the United States, CNN reported, persons who suspect they are having a stroke hesitate in calling the hospital for fear they might catch the virus there. Hospitals there are seeing an increase in the number of cases involving young patients who had sudden strokes.
Tips for determining if you are suffering from a stroke, the CNN report said, is in the word “Fast,” standing for the symptoms of face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and, when you have those indicators, it is time to call for help.
Scientists searching for Covid-19 treatments and cure have first to understand the virus. Know the virus to know the cure. With these developments—of recovered patients getting infected and the virus causing strokes in young adults without the usual symptoms—no one can say they know this new coronavirus well enough to find a way to kill it.
The WHO was optimistic in early March that it was starting to understand the virus as more data was coming in from infected countries. It didn’t sound optimistic last week when it said reinfection was possible. It had not issued a statement about the finding that patients were having sudden strokes.
Inasmuch as governments want to see a quick end to the pandemic, no such thing can happen when doctors and scientists are still puzzled by the virus.