The lack of available tests for COVID-19 means the world is effectively fighting the pandemic blind and may not know the true extent of infection for months if not years, experts said Thursday. Because COVID-19 is so infectious -- roughly 2.5 times that of the common cold -- but not everyone presents
Paris - The lack of available tests for COVID-19 means the world is effectively fighting the pandemic blind and may not know the true extent of infection for months if not years, experts said Thursday.
Jerry Shaman, a diseases expert at the University of Columbia, told AFP it was"likely" that developed nations are identifying between one in five and one in 10 true infections. "Many of these infections are mild but still contagious. So they go about their normal routine -- go to work, use public transportation, go shopping -- and spread the virus in the broader community," said Shaman.While it is generally accepted that patients showing symptoms are more contagious than those exhibiting no sign of infection, the idea of millions of infected people mixing with vulnerable groups will not comfort governments.
"You need to know where you are in the epidemic to be able to do something about it. And to do that, you need to test." Sharon Lewin, head of the world-leading Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne, said another good example of testing and then tracing contacts of patients occurred in Singapore.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Nobody Knows How Hard COVID-19 Will Hit the Economy — or Even Their Own CompanyCompanies are unwilling to forecast even their own financial performance, let alone the performance of the broader economy. jbarro writes
Leer más »
TurnKey renters who booked Palm Springs vacations before COVID-19 hit can't get refundsVacation home rental businesses are dealing with cancellation in very different ways, angering customers amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Leer más »
How a Doctor Responds to COVID-19 DeniersCoronavirus is here. We know what we need to do to lessen the impact, but some people aren't on board. This doctor outlines the three most common arguments - and how she responds to them ...
Leer más »
How covid-19 is interrupting children’s educationAlmost 1bn children have seen their schools close as a result of covid-19. The economic, social and educational costs will be heavy
Leer más »
Fact check: Is COVID-19 caused by human consumption of animals?An Instagram account with nearly 500K followers recently claimed the COVID-19 pandemic was caused by eating animals. We rate this claim partly false.
Leer más »