‘No evidence’ asymptomatic carriers spread coronavirus, Chinese health official claims
- But party boss and researcher from CDC institute tells state broadcaster there is ‘still a potential risk’
- He made the remarks as fears grow in China over ‘silent carriers’
A top Chinese health official sought to allay growing fears over asymptomatic coronavirus carriers on Monday, saying there was “no evidence” they could spread the illness but medical workers should remain alert to the risk.
Lu Jinxing, from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), made the remarks in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV amid rising public concern over people who contract the virus but show no immediate symptoms – a condition typically known as asymptomatic.
Classified government data seen by the Post showed more than 43,000 people in China had tested positive for Covid-19 by the end of February but had no immediate symptoms. They were quarantined but not included in the official tally of confirmed cases.
Lu told the state broadcaster: “We have observed a great number of asymptomatic cases and found that people had a relatively long duration of viral shedding,” referring to the rate at which an infected person “sheds” the virus.
