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While many people who become infected with coronavirus develop symptoms, others may carry it without realising
Researchers say it’s vital to know how many people are “silent spreaders” to understand the virus
@davidshukmanbbc explains
[Thread] http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
Researchers say it’s vital to know how many people are “silent spreaders” to understand the virus
@davidshukmanbbc explains
[Thread] http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
It all started in a church in Singapore on 19 January
Amongst the congregation were a couple who had just arrived from China
The couple seemed healthy - displaying no symptoms
At the time, no symptoms meant no chance of spreading it
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
Amongst the congregation were a couple who had just arrived from China
The couple seemed healthy - displaying no symptoms
At the time, no symptoms meant no chance of spreading it
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
A few days later, the couple fell sick
And over the following week, others experienced symptoms too
Singapore's Ministry of Health were “extremely perplexed” at how people who didn’t know each other were becoming infected, while showing no symptoms
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
And over the following week, others experienced symptoms too
Singapore's Ministry of Health were “extremely perplexed” at how people who didn’t know each other were becoming infected, while showing no symptoms
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
Singapore mobilised “disease detectives”
They found many of those who had been infected had been at that same church service
One unexpected finding was the woman who contracted the virus by sitting in the same seats as the couple later that day
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
They found many of those who had been infected had been at that same church service
One unexpected finding was the woman who contracted the virus by sitting in the same seats as the couple later that day
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
The church in Singapore uncovered what we now know as "pre-symptomatic transmission"
Studies highlight a critical period of 24-to-48 hours before the symptoms develop when people can be highly infectious
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
Studies highlight a critical period of 24-to-48 hours before the symptoms develop when people can be highly infectious
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
The perplexing fact remains that some people never show symptoms - they have asymptomatic infection
Studies suggest a range of possibilities for how many cases are asymptomatic
It's impossible to know how many cases of infection remain hidden from view
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
Studies suggest a range of possibilities for how many cases are asymptomatic
It's impossible to know how many cases of infection remain hidden from view
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
"If you have people who don't know they're ill while using public transport and health care facilities, inevitably that's going to increase transmission”
In the search for an answer, scientists are pushing for tests for the entire population of one city
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
In the search for an answer, scientists are pushing for tests for the entire population of one city
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
At the moment, there is no way of telling who among society may be carrying the virus without knowing
That’s why governments are saying it’s essential to adhere to social distancing, cooperate with tracing efforts and self-isolate if necessary
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
That’s why governments are saying it’s essential to adhere to social distancing, cooperate with tracing efforts and self-isolate if necessary
http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
To understand more about asymptomatic infection: http://bbc.in/CoronavirusSilentSpreaders
