No reported infections from COVID-19 patients with relapse: expert

No novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases that are transmitted by patients tested positive again after being treated have been reported so far in China, a medical expert said Friday.

Overall, the proportion of COVID-19 patients who relapsed is small, said Wang Guiqiang, director of the infectious disease department of Peking University First Hospital, at a press conference in Beijing. Wang said determining the final number of such relapse cases would need to wait until the epidemic ends.

Patients should have two negative nucleic acid tests before being discharged, Wang said, adding that they are also required to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine at home to avoid infecting others if they relapse.

Wang stressed the importance of quarantine for recovered patients and urged them to receive treatment as soon as they test positive again and show symptoms.