Why
asymptomatic cases matter?
The World Health
Organization’s (WHO) Covid-19 technical lead claimed that asymptomatic transmission of
the disease is “extremely rare.” After queries poured in from around
the world, the WHO called a social media interaction in which they clarified that
asymptomatic transmission does happen and that, according to some modelling
studies, the incidence of such transmission could be as high as 40%. A look at why
the question of asymptomatic transmission is an important factor in the Covid-19
pandemic, and where the evidence stands.
What
is asymptomatic transmission?
An asymptomatic transmission is
when a person without Covid-19 symptoms — such as fever, body aches, coughs,
and so on — transmit another corona virus to another person. This is important
because of the high viral infection. If asymptomatic transmission was indeed as
rare as the WHO had earlier disclosed, the need for the use of masks would be
reduced. In such a case, only symptomatic people will need to wear a face mask
to prevent transmission of the virus. Also, containing this virus would be
easier if everyone showing symptoms had done it on their own.
How
far does asymptomatic transmission occur?
Estimates vary but, by all
accounts, it is possible. A study in China published in Natural Medicine on
April 15 found that 44% of people who contract the disease are caught by
someone who shows no symptoms. "We observed a very high viral load in
throat eruptions during the onset of symptoms, and found that the infection decreased
on or before the symptom home.
At
how much has India assessed asymptomatic transmission?
The Indian Council for Medical
Research (ICMR) has released various statistics on the size of asymptomatic
cases in the country. While the head of infectious diseases at ICMR, had said
in April that 69% of all Covid-19 patients in India were asymptomatic, the ICMR
study of all cases was valid until April 30 returned 28 patients A total of
40,184. This latest figure is very much in line with WHO estimates. In general,
Covid-19 asymptomatic patients have been identified as being small and without
co-morbidities.
How
can an asymptomatic person, who is not coughing and sneezing, transmit a
disease that spreads through droplets?
The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
occupies the upper respiratory tract. This is what makes it a powerful traveler
that draws the nerves from the human body to the face and passes on to its
other victim. “Usually in people with symptoms and so the transmission mode is
obvious - coughing or sneezing. But asymptomatic it is possible when you are
singing, or in the gym you are loud or in the nightclub where you call to hear
the people standing next to you. Basically in any situation when you are
ventilated under pressure, the transmission of droplets can occur, ”says the
Executive Director, WHO Health Emergency Programming in the communication.
If
asymptomatic COVID cases spread the disease, How does one stay safe?
The use of universal masks is a
great place to start. This can prevent it from advertising being broadcast by a
mysterious person who does not know about his or her ideal status. It is also
important to maintain a distance of at least one meter from any person, besides
washing hands and taking care of personal hygiene. At home, it's best to wear
masks, especially when there are older people in the house. But if that doesn't
happen, it is best to cover one mouth while coughing or sneezing or doing so in
one shirt pocket. The WHO recommends a cloth mask for people who live in
transmission zones and cannot exercise remotely, such as public transit or
closed systems.
Risk
of Covid19 fatality higher among females in India, says study
Evidence, shows that while men
experience the highest Covid-19 mortality rate, women have the highest risk of
Covid-19 deaths in India. Data until May 20 shows that the overall mortality
rate (average death rate for confirmed cases) is 2.9% among men and 3.3% - the
highest - for women. A new study reported in the Journal of Global Health
Science has suggested that these findings require equal, if not greater,
attention from women in Covid-19 care.
Researchers at Population
Research Center, Center for Economic Growth, Delhi, Center for Health Research,
IIHMR University, Jaipur, Center for Academic Development, Thiruvananthapuram,
Harvard Center for Popology and Development Studies, Cambridge, USA and
Department of Behavioral Sciences And Development, Harvard TH Chan School of
Public Health, Boston used demographic information
(https://www.covid19india.org/) to provide death rates for the first time in
the Covid-19 India case.
The analysis showed as of May
20, men shared a higher burden (66%) of Covid-19 infections than women (34%),
but the infection was evenly distributed in the sub-5-year-old and older-age
groups. The CFR between men and women was 2.9% and 3.3%, respectively. Although
preliminary data from the Department of Health and Social Services indicate
that three-fourths of all confirmed cases were men, researchers said it was
important to split the burden to understand whether compliance with this
applies to children and the adult group.
In fact, much of the evidence
on age-related mortality patterns in Covid-19 deaths is focused on the elderly
and the elderly, and very little is known about the age-related sex risks and
Covid-19 mortality patterns in the country. "The most important thing is
to assess the general infection and age of Covid-19 and the risk of death of a
sexual lens. Preliminary evidence from various countries suggests that men are
at high risk of infection and death, but these interventions must be
interpreted carefully,"
According to the study, until
May 20, women had a 34.3% share in the total burden of Covid-19 infections. The
burden was similar between boys under the age of 5 (51.5%) and girls (48,5%).
The burden increased among middle-aged men and reached 70.4% of the population
aged 30- 39 years, after which the share of women in full responsibility
increased with age. The burden on women was over 40% in the 70-79 age groups
for 80+ years. The female burden at Covid-19 deaths was 36.9%. Women aged 30–39
years had the lowest death burden (21.3%) while as older women aged 80+ had the
same burden (48.5%) in total death of this age group.