As countries around the world seek creative policy solutions to permit the opening of their economies, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) released a Scientific Brief on April 24, 2020 finding that “[t]here is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.” The WHO is reviewing evidence regarding COVID-19 antibodies, which show the presence of antibodies for individuals that have recovered from COVID-19, but “no study has evaluated whether the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 confers immunity to subsequent infection by this virus in humans.” The announcement further provides that antibody laboratory tests “need further validation to determine their accuracy and reliability.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has announced six new symptoms for COVID-19. The new symptoms are:
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell.
These symptoms are in addition to fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. The CDC states that these symptoms will appear within two to fourteen days after an individual has been exposed to the virus. Further, the announcement stated there are emergency warning signs of COVID-19, such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arise, and bluish lips or face. An individual exhibiting these symptoms should “get medical attention immediately.”
Norton Rose Fulbright attorneys will continue to provide relevant updates for the healthcare industry on the Health Law Pulse during the COVID-19 outbreak.
