[robbiep]

The virus is causing the pneumonia (which literally means lung inflammation). Although it is possible to get a superimposed bacterial infection over the top of this (to be mildly flippant, double pneumonia) because the lungs aren’t clearing debris and another infection can take hold. But the damage is specifically from the effects of the virus

[mcbits]

I think the question was whether the virus causes permanent damage in patients without pneumonia.

Edit: From the translated article, apparently yes:

> All of them were not severe cases, their illnesses were five to six weeks ago and they are considered to have recovered. But they can no longer dive. "The damage to the lungs is irreversible"

[rpiguy]

Pneumonia can scar the lungs, but COVID appears to be able to scar the lungs without causing Pneumonia. It interferes with hematic function (the ability of your blood to exchange oxygen) leading to the formation of ground glass bodies in the lungs. However, with most people now thought to get COVID asymptomatically, it is likely only a small percentage of the infected leave with permanent damage.