How long can SARS-CoV-2 genetic material remain detectable in human tissues?

Answer

Exceeding a year following the initial infection

A significant finding concerning SARS-CoV-2 is its capacity for long-term residency within the human host body, extending well beyond the time when acute symptoms have resolved. Research has shown that detectable fragments of the virus's genetic material can persist within various tissues for extended durations, sometimes lasting beyond twelve months from the time the individual was first infected. This phenomenon of cellular persistence is important because it contributes to the overall reservoir of the virus circulating within communities, potentially leading to prolonged shedding from individuals and influencing the calculation of effective herd immunity thresholds by altering the pool of truly susceptible people.

How long can SARS-CoV-2 genetic material remain detectable in human tissues?

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