COVID 19 was declared as a public health emergency by the World Health Organization on 30th January 2020. 80% of COVID positive patients show mild or no symptoms at all which makes it difficult for identification by healthcare professionals. Numerous such cases have been reported where individuals were found infected but asymptomatic. For instance, on 23rd March 2020, a patient was detected in Karachi, Pakistan who showed no cataclysmic changes in his symptoms. Similarly on January 26, 2020, a whole family was tested positive after qRT-PCR tests were performed despite being asymptomatic. Furthermore, a cluster of five asymptomatic individuals were tested positive in Anyang, China on January 2020 despite having no travel history but had contracted the disease from their family members who had previously travelled to Wuhan, the epicenter. Fluctuations in PCR tests can also be found where second test results turn out to be positive.To accommodate asymptomatic patients, Pakistan set up its Field Isolation Centre in Karachi Expo Centre on 6th April 2020. Moreover, according to CDC China, individuals being afebrile for 3 days or being tested negative twice for nucleic acids tests can be discharged. Screening of asymptomatic patients should be stepped up in all hospitals.
