As asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are on the rise, experts have now raised a concern about planning testing strategies for such patients. Asymptomatic cases can be difficult to detect, thus posing a grave challenge before the healthcare strategies. Recently, a health department official from Kerala has stated that about 20 percent of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state were asymptomatic. Several health experts are now stressing on testing for mild, pre, and asymptomatic individuals.
Elderly persons, especially from the red zone districts with no symptoms should be a major part of monitoring and testing. As asymptomatic patients can silently transmit the virus to others, detection can be challenging. The ICMR has not yet recommended mass testing in India, but healthcare experts have suggested doorstep surveillance. The president of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) has…
