Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued her twenty-sixth supplemental emergency proclamation transitioning the state from an amended Safer at Home Order to a new Safer Apart Order, the third phase of COVID-19 pandemic health orders. Masks will no longer be mandated statewide, but individuals are strongly encouraged to wear a mask or other facial covering when in public and in close contact with other people. This order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021 and extends until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, 2021.

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Q: Can people who recover from COVID-19 be infected again?

The immune response to COVID\-19 \- caused by the coronavirus SARS\-CoV\-2 \- is not yet fully understood. Patients with MERS\-CoV (a different coronavirus) infection are [unlikely](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html) to be re\-infected shortly after they recover, but it is not yet known whether similar immune protection will be observed for patients with COVID\-19. Researchers do believe there have been a few cases of reinfection with SARS\-CoV\-2. How frequently this may occur is still being determined; for a nice analysis of this issue, [check out this article](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02506-y). Drafted 14 September 2020

Can people who recover from COVID-19 be infected again?

The immune response to COVID-19 - caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 - is not yet fully understood.

Patients with MERS-CoV (a different coronavirus) infection are unlikely to be re-infected shortly after they recover, but it is not yet known whether similar immune protection will be observed for patients with COVID-19.

Researchers do believe there have been a few cases of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2. How frequently this may occur is still being determined; for a nice analysis of this issue, check out this article.

Drafted 14 September 2020