Positive real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid following 2 consecutive negative RT-PCR tests have been reported in China and Korea. This has led to speculation regarding “persistent carrier states”, “re-infections” or “re-activations” and raises questions about using negative RT-PCR as part of de-isolation criteria. We report a series of 5 such patients in Singapore with confirmed COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2, and evaluated them further with viral culture and serological analysis. We include a discussion on the clinical implications.
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