The reinfection case is finally available on line and falls short as a “proof” of anything.

The “reinfection” case that has spurred so much attention in the press has finally been published on line. The PCR (molecular) analyses of the virus in the second occurrence look accurate and the patient becomes SARS-CoV-2 antibody positive just 5 days after his hospitalization for this asymptomatic episode. This all suggests the second infection was actually COVID-19.

Despite this, the patient never developed antibody after the first “infection.” This raises the question of whether the first episode was a false positive PCR or due to contamination from another patient’s sample. This is important since there was only a single PCR swab involved and the patient never developed any evidence of immunity.

These concerns make this case much less than a “definitive proof” that reinfection can occur.