T Lymphocytes (T cells) attack harmful cells, such as cancers. Photo: Shutterstock

A news summary:

Coronavirus Could Attack Immune System Like HIV By Targeting Protective Cells, Warn Scientists, South China Morning Post, 12 April 2020

Researchers in China and the US find that the virus that causes Covid-19 can destroy the T cells that are supposed to protect the body from harmful invaders.
One doctor said concern is growing in medical circles that effect could be similar to HIV.

Here’s the study:

SARS-CoV-2 Infects T Lymphocytes Through Its Spike Protein-Mediated Membrane Fusion, Nature: Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 7 April 2020

Based on the results of pseudovirus and live virus infection, here we proved that:
(1) SARS-CoV-2 could infect T cells
(2) SARS-CoV-2 infected T cells through receptor-dependent, S protein-mediated membrane fusion

I wonder if this is why some people have been testing positive for COVID-19 a second time (apart from testing inaccuracies)?