Epidemic expert on asymptomatic cases as China alerts the public

Luo Huiming, leader of epidemic analysis team with NHC. /CGTN

Starting Wednesday, China will report asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 on a daily basis. This comes as the nation continues the battle against COVID-19.

So far, at least 1,500 people in China turned out positive, yet they're not likely to show any symptoms. Hubei Province on Wednesday adds 47 more such cases to the list.

The National Health Commission (NHC) defines those who have tested positive but show no clinical symptoms as asymptomatic cases in its third version for prevention guidelines released on January 28.

"The commission requests their report within two hours followed by inquiry and treatment within 24 hours," said Luo Huiming, leader of the epidemic analysis team with the NHC.

Steps will be consistent with measures taken for confirmed cases, which include travel history, all contacts and 14-day observation if required, Luo noted.

"If the case gets symptomatic after incubation, it is then a confirmed case; if not, it is an asymptomatic case," said the physician also with Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

When asked why did the commission decide to publicize it now, Luo said asymptomatic cases in fact has been put under control since the agency has taken it as the origin of infection from the very beginning.

"Given the positive trends of epidemic control and decreasing numbers of confirmed cases, the asymptomatic cases get relatively more attention now," he added.

But should the public worry about possible virus carriers walking around?

Luo explained that all infectious diseases have symptomatic and asymptomatic victims, with proportions varied.

"What's certain is that they are all infectious, so the public should stay vigilant," he said. "Given that overall confirmed cases are gradually diminishing, so are the asymptomatic cases."

Efforts will continue to screen out these cases through inquiry into COVID-19 patients, and the public should be aware that the risk remains and preventative measures can reduce the virus to a certain degree, he said.

"During social activities, every individual is at risk, and masks, hand washing and social distancing are necessary and helpful in preventing not only COVID-19 but also other contagions," Luo advised.