We’ve been writing about the early warning symptoms of COVID-19. Things to watch for if you might have been too close to an active case, and so on. But what happens if you don’t detect warning signs within a few days? Are you symptom free, or infected but not showing symptoms? We have produced an update on asymptomatic COVID-19 status because we believe it is very, very important.
Update on Asymptomatic COVID-19 Status: Symptoms versus Signs
Common symptoms like loss of smell, and shortness of breath are well known indicators. However, Paul Sax from Common Health explains asymptomatic patients don’t show these. Although there are other signs we may detect through testing. The shortage of test kits makes them harder to source though. Therefore, our best option is what he calls active surveillance.
Our new update on asymptomatic COVID-19 status would be incomplete without providing examples of surveillance sites. A common line of reasoning includes testing people in affected households, students at infected schools, and passengers on cruise ships. When Iceland followed this method, it obliterated the curve without enforcing any lock down.
However, the Results Are Not Consistent Through These Studies
The hit rate depends on the susceptibility of the population sample, according to Paul Sax. More elderly passengers on a cruise ship will fall ill, than for example an average much younger crew.
To complicate matters further, we don’t know many asymptomatic people go on to develop symptoms. Or for that matter how many asymptomatically infected Covid-19 people there really are.
Stay Away from Emergency Rooms to Avoid Overloading the System
The sheer numbers are mentally overwhelming. Common Health reports 88% of COVID-positive pregnant women had no symptoms on admission in New York. Moreover, a Geneva study found eleven times more people had antibodies than there were diagnosed cases.
If we don’t show COVID-19 symptoms, then we may be COVID-free or asymptomatic. It’s wise to consult a medical practitioner if we think may have an infection brewing. However, we should stay away from hospitals and emergency rooms to avoid overwhelming the system. That’s what phones and emails are for when providing an update on our asymptomatic COVID-19 status.
Related
Linking COVID-19 and Gastro Infections
Common Colds, Allergies, Flu and COVID-19
Preview Image: Inefficiency of Travel Restrictions
