Healthy-looking people spread coronavirus, more studies say
- Researchers in Singapore estimate 10 per cent of new infections may be sparked by people not experiencing symptoms
- US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention now says anyone may be considered a carrier, even if they are asymptomatic
More evidence is emerging that coronavirus infections are being spread by people who have no clear symptoms, complicating efforts to gain control of the pandemic.
A study conducted by researchers in Singapore and published by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Wednesday is the latest to estimate that around 10 per cent of new coronavirus infections may be sparked by people who were infected with the virus but not experiencing symptoms.
In response to recent studies, the CDC changed how it was defining the risk of infection for Americans. The agency’s new guidance, also released on Wednesday, targets people who have no symptoms but were exposed to persons with known or suspected infections.
It essentially says that anyone may be a considered a carrier, whether they have symptoms or not.
That reinforces the importance of social distancing and other measures designed to stop the spread, experts said.
“You have to really be proactive about reducing contacts between people who seem perfectly healthy,” said Lauren Ancel Meyers, a University of Texas at Austin researcher who has studied coronavirus transmission in different countries.