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MUMBAI: Around 65-70% of the nearly 1,600 Covid-19 patients currently undergoing treatment in the state are said to be asymptomatic —not exhibiting any symptoms. The remaining have mild to moderate symptoms, while less than 20% are in critical care, said a state official.

WHO says there is no evidence yet to show that an asymptomatic person can spread the infection, report Sumitra Deb Roy & Malathy Iyer. However, it doesn't exclude the possibility that it may occur. Evidence shows that primary transmission happens from symptomatic people through respiratory droplets, among others.

‘In 80% of cases in Mumbai, no major symptom seen’

Gujarat recently became one of the first states in the country to decide that those above 85 years of age, who are positive but are asymptomatic, will be allowed to stay at home. The option would be extended only if the family gave an undertaking that they would adhere to protocols. However, Maharashtra government doesn’t seem to be thinking on these lines yet.

Dr Anup Kumar Yadav, commissioner, National Health Mission said that most patients in hospitals now don't have major symptoms. “However, we can’t allow them to stay at home. We have seen that the quarantine measures are not followed appropriately,” he said. The protocols could be revaluated in case there was a big surge in cases. “If there is a big rise, we will definitely prioritise the symptomatic cases. But as of now, everyone will be treated in hospitals and discharged only they have tested negative in two consecutive tests,” he added.

The union health ministry on Sunday said that though the number of Covid-19 cases has increased from 979 on March 29 to 8,356 in India, the number of patients requiring oxygen support or critical care is around 1671 or 20%. On March 29, the number of patients in need of critical care across India was 196. The ministry reiterated that at this stage there were enough beds to tackle critical cases.

In Mumbai too, the clinical manifestations in patients have been similar to the rest of the state and the country. Dr Daksha Shah said that up to 80% positive in the city don't have major symptoms. However, additional municipal commissioner S Kakani said that Mumbai's social demographics is such that one cannot keep suspected patients at their homes, which may be too small to maintain the norms of social distancing. “Hence, we prefer to keep people in quarantine facilities that have 1- or 2-metre distance between two beds,” he said.

