What proportion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread is associated with the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from persons with no symptoms?
In a recent study using multiple scenarios of proportions of asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 and infectious periods, transmission from asymptomatic individuals was estimated to account for more than half of all transmissions. In addition to the identification and isolation of persons with symptomatic COVID-19, effective control of spread will require reducing the risk of transmission from people with infection who do not have symptoms. These findings suggest that measures such as wearing masks, hand hygiene, social distancing, and strategic testing of people who are not ill will be foundational to slowing the spread of COVID-129 until safe and effective vaccines are available and widely used.
As the old adage says, “keep on keeping on”, mask up, wash your hands, keep your distance and stay the course! Stay well and stay tuned!