Can COVID-19 Be Spread Without Symptoms?
- fionacsweet
- Jun 9, 2020
- 1 min read
The short answer is yes, the virus can be spread through people that are not showing any signs of having contracted the virus.
WHO had to clarify on Tuesday that this was still the case, as confusion was sparked a day earlier by an epidemiology expert who said asymptomatic spread of the virus was "very rare." She made this statement based on specific new studies that may have not gone through peer review, and that these studies do not change WHO's recommendations for social distancing guidelines.
The WHO estimates that around 16% of coronavirus cases do not exhibit any symptoms, but "around 40% of transmission may be due to asymptomatic" spread. The CDC further clarified that there are two groups of people with the virus who may be contagious even though they are not showing any symptoms: those who never develop symptoms (asymptomatic) and those who go on to develop symptoms (presymptomatic). Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible for anyone to know which group they are in, although the CDC says that they are learning more and more about these problems each day.
The Harvard Global Health Institute also issued a statement that argues "people may be the most infectious in the days before they develop symptoms" (presymptomatic spread).
All of us need to be cautious around everyone except for the people in our house. Even if everyone you hang out with has no symptoms, they could still develop them and transmit them to you. This virus affects everyone differently, and it is a game of chance I am sure you really do not want to lose. Stay safe everyone!
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