Can people with asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic COVID-19 infect others: a systematic review of primary data
Abstract
Asymptomatic but infectious people have been reported in many infectious diseases. Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic carriers would be a hidden reservoir of COVID-19.
Aim
This review identifies primary empirical evidence about the ability of asymptomatic carriers to infect others with COVID-19 pandemic and reflects on the implications for control measures.
Methods
A systematic review is followed by a narrative report and commentary inclusion criteria were: studies reporting primary data on asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients, who were considered to have passed on COVID-19 infection; and published in indexed journals or in peer review between January 1 and March 31, 2020.
Results
Nine articles reported on 83 asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic persons.
Conclusions
The evidence confirms COVID-19 transmission from people who were asymptomatic at the time. A series of implications for health service response are laid out.
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