Chinese authorities have begun to release national data on the number of people harboring COVID-19 without symptoms.
That information has until now been classified, but the South China Morning Post recently estimated that the asymptomatic population in China may number more than 40,000, according to a new report from Reuters.
China is the original epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak and has significantly reduced transmissions and new cases. The new data-sharing measures are meant to ease public concerns that unsuspected virus carriers will begin to spread the disease anew as public lockdowns are eased, Gabriel Crossley reported.
In fact, current evidence shows that up to 25% of individuals who harbor the virus may remain asymptomatic while contributing to transmission, according to the CDC. Those who do become symptomatic appear to carry the virus up to 48 hours before exhibiting obvious signs of infection.
China’s National Health Commission was due to begin releasing the new information late Wednesday, Reuters noted.
