Those who have been previously diagnosed with COVID-19 and recovered, need to beware of reinfection, as immunity against the virus and how long it lasts remains unknown, according to the Health Ministry’s awareness and media department.

The department posted on its social media accounts, quoting information from the World Health Organisation (WHO) warning people of reinfection, especially as many reports have shown that those who recovered from infection still suffer from long-term health problems.

Moreover, the department said that those who recovered might have the virus still dormant within them, and need to be careful not to transmit the virus to others, who might be more vulnerable to it, especially since the coronavirus needs to spread to stay alive.

A study, which had covered a sample of 100 people who had mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms, found that the antibody defence against the coronavirus stayed powerful for three months after infection.

The study was conducted by Ania Wajnberg and her colleagues at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, and was published in October on science.sciencemag.org.

"It is still unclear if infection with SARS-CoV-2 in human beings protects from reinfection and for how long. We know from work with common human coronaviruses that neutralising antibodies are induced and these antibodies can last for years and provide protection from reinfection or attenuate disease, even if individuals get reinfected,” according to the study.

The awareness and health media department called those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and quarantined themselves at home to ensure they have a sufficient amount of protective wear as well as disinfectants, including soaps, hygiene, gloves and face masks.

It also called for designating a separate bathroom to the isolated COVID-19 patient if possible, which is to be cleaned and disinfected after every use.

The department also urged the public to commit to public health measures to prevent the spread of the virus, saying: "The virus is now everywhere, your health and the health of those around you is now your responsibility.”