Woman tests positive for coronavirus a second time confirming scientists' fears

A woman in Japan has tested positive for the coronavirus for the second time, in what authorities say is the first such case in the country, per the Guardian.

The woman, who is reportedly in her 40's and works as a tour bus guide, tested positive on Wednesday after developing a sore throat and chest pains, according to the prefectural government. She first tested positive for the SARS-related virus on the 29th of January and was discharged from hospital on the 1st February, before testing negative on the 6th of the month.

While this is a first in Japan, cases of second positive tests for the virus have been reported in China.

China built a 1000 bed hospital in 5 days to treat the coronavirus:

"Once you have the infection, it could remain dormant and with minimal symptoms, and then you can get an exacerbation if it finds its way into the lungs," Professor Philip Tierno at New York University’s school of medicine explained.

"I’m not certain that this is not bi-phasic, like anthrax," he continued, noting that the disease might seem to go away before recurring.

This comes after the outbreak has allegedly affected 80,000 people across the globe, and killed nearly 2,800 - the majority being in mainland China.

The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Japan has now rose by 16 to 186, in addition to the 704 diagnosed from the Diamond Princess cruise ship. The capital has now urged the population to curtail big gatherings and sports events for two weeks to attempt to contain the virus, but they maintain that the 2020 Olympic Games will go ahead as planned.

Credit: PA

Speaking to the Metro, Dr. Babak Ashrafi stated, "Experts are busy gathering information from those who have become infected to see how well their immune systems react and how long they’ll remain immune."

"We do know that when you catch a virus, your body learns how to fight it off. Even after you’ve fully recovered your body is left with the ability to battle a virus and avoid developing symptoms again.

However, like our minds, our bodies can forget over time how to do this and immunity can wear off over time after initial infection."