Health Officials Discuss Immunity to Coronavirus

More Data is Needed to Know if Someone is Immune to Coronavirus After Recovering From It

New york and pennsylvania.

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase.... there are people beating the virus.

But the world health organization says there's not enough data that shows those who are now testing negative ... can't get the virus again.

Waay-31s alexis scott spoke with a spokesperson with the alabama department of public health on what this means for patients.

Alexis?

Doctor karen landers with the state department of health told me they've tested thousands of patients..

And though two months may seem like enough time... they need a lot longer to figure out how and if someone is actually immune from getting the virus a second time.

Doctor landers told me the coronavirus is an influenza... which means this is a family of complex viruses together.

While they've tested thousands of people and various strains of the virus... she told me they still need an ample amount of time to find the solution of those who are healthy now... who were once sick.

I asked about a possibility of a timeline... but landers did not know the answer... only that it was way too early to tell.

Right now...governor kay ivey is determining how or when to reopen the state.

Doctor landers says when that happens... people need to stay vigilant in social distancing practices.

Doing this could help those who were sick before and help get ahead of the curve of this virus dr. karen landers, alabama department of health "the virus is not going away at the end of the month.

The virus is going to be here circulating.

We will still need to do the measures that have proven to reduce the spread in the state of alabama," doctor landers told me everyday health care professionals are working and finding new data that will hopefully continue to help during this pandemic right now - she doesn't believe anyone needs to get re-tested.

But when the state does re- open -- it's important to practice vigorous cleaning habits and continue to wear masks.

Reporting live in huntsville, alexis