Pre-symptomatic cases different from asymptomatic, DOH clarifies

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday maintained that asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 has not been widely observed amid the global pandemic.

In a virtual briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said infected persons who are being detected in the country with no symptoms yet may be just pre-symptomatic.

"Marami po ang nagsasabi sa ating mga kababayan ng marami pong mga walang sintomas ang nagsasabing nagpopositibo sa kanilang mga test," Vergeire said.

"Ang gusto ko pong linawin mayroon po tayong tinatawag na pre-symptomatic individuals na ito po ang mga tao na maaaring mayroon ho sila ng virus sa kanila at maaaring magkaroon ng sakit in how many days mag-uumpisa na. At ito po 'yung mga maaaring nakikita ng ating mga kababayan na nagpopositibo pagkatapos," she added.

She reiterated that the World Health Organization (WHO) said there is no evidence yet to prove asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19.

"Ito pong mga asymptomatic, klaruhin lang po natin, ito po 'yung mga walang sintomas at saka hindi nakakapanghawa according po iyan sa definition ng WHO o mga binitiwang salita or statement," Vergeire said.

"Sa ngayon po ang ating WHO ay nakakapagsabi pa rin na ang asymptomatic transmission ay hindi pa rin nagkakaroon ng ganoong dent dito sa ating ginagawang response. Ibig sabihin, kung mayroon man po, maliit lang ang porsyentong ibinibigay nito sa kabuuan kapag ikinumpara natin," she added.

Vergeire also said that asymptomatic persons are only being prioritized in the expanded COVID-19 testing program of the government if they had exposure to infected patients.

During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there is still no evidence to show that asymptomatic COVID-19 virus carriers can infect others. — RSJ, GMA News