72-Year-Old Man Dies After Record 613-Day COVID-19 Infection

The longest documented COVID-19 infection led to over 50 mutations, emphasizing risks in immunocompromised patients.

A 72-year-old Dutch man held the longest recorded COVID-19 infection of 613 days before succumbing to a blood disorder.
The virus within him developed over 50 mutations, some enhancing its ability to evade immune defenses.
Despite the high mutation rate, there was no documented transmission of the mutated virus to others.
Researchers highlight the importance of monitoring and genomic surveillance in immunocompromised individuals.
The case underscores the potential public health risks of new viral variants emerging from prolonged infections.