Reviewed January 21, 2022
People who recover from a COVID-19 infection have some protection against repeat infection, according to the CDC, but it's unclear how adequate and lasting that protection is.
Reinfections do occur, and the emergence of new variants, such as Omicron, can increase the risk of reinfection. Studies are underway to better understand:
How often reinfections occur
Who's at higher risk of reinfection
How soon reinfections take place after a previous infection
The severity of reinfections compared with a previous infection
The risk of transmission to others after reinfection