Researchers in China have found a new strain of Coronavirus that could infect people for 49 days, nearly two months.
According to the researchers, the new mutated version of coronavirus found in a middle-aged man who had mild symptoms but a prolonged version in China. He is said to have had the disease for 49 days, which is significantly longer than other duration of illness, according to reports.
He needed to be treated with a plasma transfusion from other COVID-19 sufferers who had recovered, it’s claimed.
Previous research showed patients who survived the virus normally tested negative after 20 days on average, with the longest previous case at 37 days.
Researchers said the patient’s case might be ‘chronic’, which could suggest coronavirus has mutated.
The researchers from the Army Medical University in Chongqing, No 967 Hospital of PLA, Dalian, and General Hospital of the PLA Central Theatre Command in Wuhan said that the virus may have formed a ‘symbiotic relationship’ with its host.
Reports state one of the patient’s elderly female relatives also tested positive for COVID-19, with moderate symptoms. Despite having pre-existing conditions she reportedly recovered quicker recovery than average for her age.
The researchers said that this information could point towards a new mild sub-type of COVID-19 which while not as transmissible could be harder to eliminate.
They warned that other “chronic” patients who would not be treated because of their mild symptoms could continue to spread the infection and cause a fresh outbreak.