Cruise ship experience shows more symptomless SARS-COV-2

The following article written by Dawn O’Shea for Univadis Medical News is a clinical summary of a research conducted by Alvin Ing, Christine Cocks, and Jeffery Peter Green. 

The researchers describe the first instance of complete COVID-19 testing of all passengers and staff of an isolated cruise ship during the pandemic. According to the RT-PCR test, 59% of those on board were infected with the SARS-COV-2. 89% of those positive for the virus were asymptomatic. Of the 19% who were symptomatic, 6.2% required immediate medical assistance, 3.1% had to intubated and ventilated, and 0.8% died. 

To read the original research, visit: https://thorax.bmj.com/content/early/2020/05/27/thoraxjnl-2020-215091

Editor’s Note: The following research is important because it shows us a steady-state system where the SARS-COV-2 had optimal conditions to multiply. It can be used as a real-world petri dish which could help us see the worst impacts the virus could have in a population. 

It is an important research because it verifies evidences found in some articles on this website. For example, the death rate in the study is close to the CDC death rate and almost the same as that of Russia [read xx and Why Russia Has A Very Low COVID-19 Death Rate]. Mo reover, it shows that a majority of those who contract the virus remain asymptomatic [this same finding was recorded in Cebu, read 90-95% of COVID-19 Cases In Cebu Are Asymptomatic].