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TORONTO – A review of 61 studies and reports involving more than 1.8 million people suggests that at least one in three people infected with COVID-19 has no symptoms, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Authors from Scripps Research in San Diego, Calif., Examined global studies and reports published through November 17, 2020 – including two large surveys in England and Spain – that tested for the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in over a million people.
The researchers compiled 43 studies using PCR tests and 18 studies using antibody tests to cross-reference their data.
The data compiled showed that at least a third of people who tested positive for the virus never showed any symptoms.
Data like this underscores the importance of testing asymptomatic people, Vancouver Center for Infectious Disease medical director Dr. Brian Conway said on CTV’s news channel on Saturday.
“If we identify groups of individuals for which the transmission network is not clear, I think there is a role in testing a larger number of asymptomatic individuals to… interrupt these transmission networks more effectively.” , said Conway.
This is a feeling echoed in the study.
“In light of the data presented here, we believe that COVID-19 control strategies need to be changed, taking into account the prevalence and risk of transmission of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection,” notes the study, adding that as vaccines roll out globally, “More research will be needed to determine their effectiveness in preventing asymptomatic infections.”
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