Half of people with severe COVID-19 infection are asymptomatic: why is it dangerous

New data from the UK Office for National Statistics showed that more than half of people with severe Covid infection did not report any serious symptoms. Independent.

Photo: Shutterstock

This highlights the risk that people are spreading the virus without knowing they are infected. This method is considered one of the main ones, thanks to which the coronavirus pandemic was able to spread so easily around the world.

The ONS said 53% of people with a strong positive or high viral load detected between December and March did not report any symptoms, compared with the 47% that did.

Excluded from the list are patients who may be at the onset of infection when transmission and symptoms are considered less likely.

Fatigue, headache and coughing were the most common symptoms among people who tested positive for Covid-19.

On the subject: Biden's administration will pay for the funeral of the dead from COVID-19: how to request compensation

“The classic symptoms of fatigue, headache and cough are still the ones most commonly reported by those infected with the virus, while only 1 in 5 experience loss of taste or smell,” said Sarah Crofts, senior statistician at the ONS. “About half of those we tested did not report any symptoms even with high levels of the virus in their bodies. This highlights that people in the community may unknowingly become infected with the virus and potentially pass it on to others.”

During March, 36% of people reported classic symptoms associated with Covid-19, of which 28% reported cough, 20% fever, and 12% described shortness of breath. Loss of taste and smell was reported by 14% of patients. 6% also reported diarrhea and abdominal pain.

The strength of the infection was determined by how quickly the virus was detected in laboratory studies. Faster detection means the patient may have a higher viral load in the body, resulting in a stronger positive result.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York

Some high-score patients were excluded from the examination because they could be people who are at an early stage of infection or at its pre-symptomatic stage.

The ONS Infection Survey is based on a sample of private households and does not include hospitals and nursing homes.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Substance in Certain Fruits and Vegetables May Protect Against COVID-19: Study

Four States Suspend J&J Vaccine Due to Massive Severe Side Effects

What can you get for free in the USA for vaccination against COVID-19

In Michigan, 246 people get sick with COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated: three have died

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.