"Spreading infection even before the onset of fever and cough" Singapore Research Group

Recently NHK News On-line reported the following:

「熱やせきの発症前でも感染広げる」シンガポール研究グループ

2020年4月2日 9時10分

新型コロナウイルスに感染した人は、熱やせきなどの症状が出る前でもほかの人にウイルスを広げてしまうことを裏付ける研究をシンガポールの研究グループが発表し、集会や人混みを避け、自宅にとどまって人との距離を取る一人一人の取り組みが感染対策として重要だとしています。

シンガポールの研究グループは１日、アメリカＣＤＣ＝疾病対策センターが発行する報告書に研究成果を発表しました。

それによりますと、シンガポールで発生した新型コロナウイルスの感染例について感染経路を詳しく検証したところ、７つの集団感染で自覚症状がない人からほかの人に感染したとみられる例が見つかりました。

自覚症状がなかった人は、人と接触した数日の間にせきや発熱、鼻水などの症状が出始めていて、研究グループはこうした発症前の潜伏期間にウイルスが飛まつなどを介してほかの人に感染したものとみています。

また、検証した集団感染の中には歌の教室で感染が広がったケースが複数あり、せきなどの症状がなくても声を張り上げるなどして飛まつが生じ、感染した可能性があるとしています。

研究グループは新型コロナウイルスが潜伏期間でも別の人に感染することが裏付けられたとみて、すでに症状のある人を隔離するだけでは対策として不十分で、一人一人が集会や人混みを避け、自宅にとどまって人との距離を取る、いわゆる「ソーシャル・ディスタンシング」が重要だとしています。

Translation

Researchers in Singapore announced a study that proved that people infected with the new coronavirus could spread virus to others even before symptoms such as fever and cough appeared. To stay at home to avoid gatherings and crowds, and the individual efforts of keep a distance from one another were important measure against infection.

The Singapore research group on April 1 published its findings in a report issued by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A detailed examination of the transmission route of the new coronavirus in Singapore revealed that in seven group outbreaks, there were examples that a person who felt no symptoms subjectively had infected others.

Those who did not have subjective symptoms contacted with other people before beginning to develop symptoms such as coughing, fever, and runny nose within a few days. The researchers believed that the virus infected other people through droplets etc. during incubation period before illness appeared.

In addition, among the verified group outbreaks, there were multiple cases where the infection spread in a singing classroom. Even if there were no symptoms such as coughs, it was said that there was a possibility of infection by raising the voice that created droplets.

The research group believed that the new coronavirus could be transmitted to another person even during the incubation period, just to isolate those who had symptoms was not enough. As a countermeasure, individual should avoid rallying and crowds. It said that the so-called "social distancing" of staying at home to keep a distance from people was important.

               It is surprising to know that that virus could be spread by people who feel no symptoms by themselves, i.e. before illness such as coughing, fever, and runny nose appear. If this is the case, on top of keeping a distance from other people (sometimes it is physically not possible), I think to wear masks when talking face to face (for example when buying medication or grocery) could minimize virus spreading.