Coronavirus: most infections spread by people yet to show symptoms - scientists

[babylonsister]

Coronavirus: most infections spread by people yet to show symptoms – scientists
Findings mean that isolating people once they start to feel ill is less effective than hoped
Ian Sample Science editor
Thu 12 Mar 2020 10.49 EDT


The majority of coronavirus infections may be spread by people who have recently caught the virus and have not yet begun to show symptoms, scientists have found.

An analysis of infections in Singapore and Tianjin in China revealed that two-thirds and three-quarters of people respectively appear to have caught it from others who were incubating the virus but still symptom-free.

The finding has dismayed infectious disease researchers as it means that isolating people once they start to feel ill will be far less effective at slowing the pandemic than had been hoped.

“This is one of the first things we were worried about when the outbreak began,” said Steven Riley, professor of infectious disease dynamics at Imperial College London, who was not involved in the work. “It was certainly unhoped for. This is one thing we really didn’t want to go this way.”

more...

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/mar/12/coronavirus-most-infections-spread-by-people-yet-to-show-symptoms-scientists?CMP=fb_gu&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1tVmsiw0m_7kJ9LoHaq5-fs9h5DVrJ1mxLJnXFP6gyNyzJRMmaajRuiJQ#Echobox=1584024776

[Happyhippychick]

1. The infection is spread by coughing

Isn't that a symptom?

I'm not asking you, I'm just asking in general.

[BusyBeingBest]

2. Maybe not even coughing. Maybe by just breathing, as the particles

multiply in the respiratory tract and are expelled when exhaling--I don't know this, but seems possible. Also, of course, by not washing one's hands well to protect others.

[defacto7]

5. Many other ways as well. That's a big part of the problem.

[soryang]

3. Widespread tracking and testing is necessary

the profit oriented minimalist for profit healthcare approach aimed at conserving resources and avoiding a major "wartime" like mobilization of personnel and resources to accomplish this isn't going to work.

management by exception vs. pro-active aggressive mobilization of public health resources. If you don't have a prepared national health care infrastructure, mobilize and build one now.

[uponit7771]

4. +1

[Pobeka]

6. This is why social distancing is so critical right now, even if you feel healthy !!!

https://www.vox.com/2020/3/10/21171481/coronavirus-us-cases-quarantine-cancellation

Flatten the curve, reduce the load on the hospitals, and give more time to find intermediate treatments until a vaccine can be developed.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Which is why we need more testing.