DALLAS — A Dallas woman has tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time.
NBC affiliate KXAS reports Meredith McKee was diagnosed with COVID-19 in February after exhibiting common symptoms.
"I had a dry cough like you would not believe. It would not stop," McKee said.
She fought the virus from home and beat it.
McKee even donated plasma after testing positive for antibodies, thinking she was in the clear.
"I felt great. Finally something good is coming out of the hell that I've been through because I'm going to help up to eight people with this plasma," McKee said.
Last weekend, McKee went to the hospital with high blood pressure and a headache — and once again tested positive for the virus.
"I would never have known had they not insisted on doing another COVID test, and I was floored when it was positive," McKee said.
Dr. Robert Haley, an epidemiologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center. said catching coronavirus twice is possible but appears to be uncommon.
"We don't really know how serious the illness is the second time compared to the first time," Dr. Haley said.
McKee said her doctors believe the virus went dormant after her first round of coronavirus, then reemerged.
She said the worst part is realizing she may have unknowingly exposed family, friends and countless strangers.
"I'm mortified and seriously devastated," McKee said.
McKee said she wants her case to serve as a reminder for everyone to wear a mask — something she now wishes she'd done.
