‘No evidence’ asymptomatic Covid-19 cases infectious, Wuhan analysis after lockdown concludes – RT World News

The analysis, published in the scientific journal Nature, examined the results of a screening initiative organized between May and June in Wuhan, the city where the first cases of the new coronavirus were detected at the end of 2019. The origins of the virus remain to be determined, with new studies suggesting the disease could have been in Italy as early as September of last year.

Almost 10 million people have been tested, or 92% of all residents aged six or older.

Incredibly, no new symptomatic cases were recorded and only 300 asymptomatic cases were detected. Subsequent testing of 1,174 close contacts of asymptomatic cases found did not yield any positive results.

There is “No evidence that identified asymptomatic positive cases were infectious,” the newspaper said, adding that the results of the massive screening program could help health authorities “Adjust prevention and control strategies in the post-lockout period.”

The analysis appears to confirm the preliminary results published during the screening program. Professor Lu Zuxun, of Wuhan Huazhong University of Science and Technology, said in June that there is currently no evidence that asymptomatic people are transmitting the virus to others, but warned the time against general conclusions.

The authors of the article acknowledged that previous studies had found evidence that asymptomatic individuals were infectious and could become symptomatic later, but speculated that residents of Wuhan still tested positive for the virus after the lockdown. strict of the city. “Low amount of viral loads” and therefore could not transmit the disease to other people.

Wuhan has been placed under a strict lockdown for more than 70 days. Strict regulations essentially cut the city off from the rest of China, with only one person from each household being allowed to leave their residential complex for up to two hours.

Also on rt.com
NOT “ very rare ”: WHO claim RETURN on asymptomatic transmission of coronavirus

The document comes amid a growing debate over the effectiveness of Covid-19 restrictions. City closures and even mask-wearing warrants have been justified by the argument that even asymptomatic individuals could spread disease and inadvertently overwhelm health services. However, many argued that the social and economic costs of lockdowns far outweighed the purported benefits and stressed that asymptomatic people are not contagious.

In June, the World Health Organization (WHO) backtracked after stating that asymptomatic people rarely infect others with Covid-19, saying there was not enough evidence to back up that claim.

Do you like this story? Share it with a friend!