May 29, 2020

Asymptomatic Transmission during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Implications for Public Health Strategies

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

• Huff et al. completed a narrative review summarizing emerging evidence that SARS-CoV-2 transmission is likely high during pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic phases. Data from settings with universal testing, such as in a homeless shelter in Boston and on the US Navy aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt indicate that a high proportion of individuals test positive without reporting symptoms. The authors conclude that there is a need to shift from testing of persons with symptoms to universal testing of exposed individuals. 

Huff and Singh. (May 28, 2020). Asymptomatic Transmission during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Implications for Public Health Strategies. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa654