The Institute of Microbiology of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) reported the first case of COVID-19 reinfection in Ecuador on Saturday.

It compared the viral genome sequences in the two infections and found that they are different strains.

The patient was first diagnosed with COVID-19 in May, and again at the end of August, said the institute.

"The genomes of the virus present in an Ecuadorian with COVID-19 have been sequenced in May and again in August, showing that they are two different strains," tweeted the institute, adding that the two strains "belong to different genetic groups" and "have mutations at different sites, showing that they are different."

In May the patient presented mild condition and in August showed moderate symptoms, who in both cases had positive PCR test results, despite a negative PCR test in July after having had the first infection.

As of August 29 local time, the country had a total of 112,906 confirmed cases. Its capital Quito, also the country's worst-hit region, had 21,112 confirmed cases, with 320 new confirmed cases in a single day.

Other countries have also reported cases of reinfection.

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region reported the first documented coronavirus reinfection in a 33-year-old man who contracted the virus again after recovery. Two European patients, one in the Netherlands and another in Belgium, were reported to be reinfected. Doctors also found a case that appears to be the first documented reinfection case in the U.S.