Asymptomatic COVID-19 Positives are Rare to Spread Infection–WHO Conflict

Dr. Maria van Kerkhove —Technical lead of corona virus and head of the epidemic disease in World Health organization have given this statement in a press meet in Geneva on 17th Aug 2020 is amplifying in Twitter and other social media.

She said “asymptomatic people are rarely spreading the infection to secondary individual. According to the data collected in various countries with the asymptomatic people and testing their families and neighbors turns negative for corona virus”. 

This statement contradicts with CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) says “it is possible for an asymptomatic COVID-19 patient to spread the infection to others so they recommend social distancing and advise to wear face mask”. This controversial statement had given much confusion to people around the world. 

Dr. Ashish Jha, Director of Harvard Global Health Institute said “There are lots of asymptomatic people spreading the virus and infecting people around so it is must to wear a mask and practice social distance anywhere in public places”. 

Later the day Maria tweeted that “pre-symptomatic patients are more risk in spreading infection comparing to asymptomatic patients, we have the data collected by various members of WHO in different countries and closely monitoring the asymptomatic persons for further studies”. This confusion is still on and WHO has the responsibility to clear it for global safety.