Chinese Research Team: "Asymptomatic COVID-19 Carriers Have Longer Virus Transmission Period"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] A study has found that asymptomatic carriers of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), who show no special symptoms despite being infected, can spread the virus for a longer period compared to symptomatic carriers.

On the 23rd, according to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP), a research team led by Professor Huang Ailong of Chongqing Medical University in China published a paper containing these findings in the medical journal Nature Medicine.

According to the paper, an observation of 37 asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers showed that the median virus transmission period was 19 days, about one-third longer than that of mild symptomatic patients. One asymptomatic carrier was found to have a virus transmission period lasting up to 45 days.

However, the research team explained that virus transmission does not necessarily lead to COVID-19 infection. All 37 asymptomatic carriers analyzed by the team possessed antibodies, but their antibody levels were only 15% of those found in symptomatic carriers.

Recent studies have found cases where COVID-19 patients lose antibodies after recovery, but asymptomatic carriers showed a much more severe degree of antibody loss.

According to the research team, over 40% of asymptomatic carriers had already lost antibodies before discharge, indicating that the immune response of asymptomatic carriers is weaker.

The Chongqing Medical University research team studied a total of 180 COVID-19 infected individuals, among whom more than 20% were asymptomatic carriers.

The Chongqing Medical University research team stated, "The emergence of 'silent spreaders' is causing difficulties in controlling COVID-19," and added, "It is necessary to extend policies such as social distancing, expanded COVID-19 testing, and enhanced hygiene to respond to asymptomatic carriers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.