Recurrent COVID-19 in Hemodialysis: A Case Report of 2 Possible Reinfections

Krishna, Vinay Narasimha; Ahmad, Masood; Overton, Edgar T.; Jain, Gaurav

Patients receiving in-center hemodialysis are at a high risk of infections, due to relative immunosuppression as well as to limited ability to physically distance and frequent encounters with the health care setting; this has been particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe two patients with suspected recurrent COVID-19 infection, each with documented clearance of virus between episodes. The duration between a negative RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and symptomatic reinfection was 31 and 55 days, respectively, in the two patients. A higher risk for infection with COVID-19 and poor outcomes if infected, including a 20% or higher short term mortality risk, is worrisome in this patient population. Continued measures, such as infection prevention, community outreach and early testing may play a role in establishing protocols to protect the vulnerable dialysis population.