Silent Spreaders?

[2greys]

In the most comprehensive study of COVID-19 pediatric patients to date, Harvard Medical School researchers based at Massachusetts General Hospital and Mass General Hospital for Children provide data showing that children may play a larger role in the community spread of COVID-19 than previously thought.

The study, published in The Journal of Pediatrics, examined 192 children, adolescents and young adults who came to hospitals with symptoms of or suspected exposure to COVID-19. In this group, 49 individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and an additional 18 had a late-onset COVID-19-related illness.

The researchers found that infected children carried high levels of the virus, or viral load, in their respiratory secretions, even children with mild or no symptoms. Age did not affect the ability to carry a high viral load, which is associated with increased risk of transmitting the virus to others.

Notably, the team found that infected children in the asymptomatic or early infection phase had significantly higher viral loads than hospitalized adults with severe COVID-19.

hms.harvard.edu/news/silent...

Journal of Pediatrics, the research paper:

jpeds.com/article/S0022-347...

[sassy59]

Dr. John has been talking about this recently. Younger children under 5 have a large viral load. Kids go back to school on 4th September......scary.

Take care all. Xxxxx

[2greys in reply to sassy59]

Yet the Gov insist that there is no evidence that this is so and it is safe for schools to reopen. Someone is clearly very wrong. The Gov or trained medical experts? I know who my money goes on.

[sassy59 in reply to 2greys]

Mine too 2greys. Xxx

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to sassy59]

Schools here went back last week.

[sassy59 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Yes they go back earlier in Scotland. I worry about our two grandchildren who are at school. When will we get to see them? Xxx

[2greys in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Scotland sees highest daily rise in COVID infections in nearly three months. I wonder why?

news.sky.com/story/coronavi...

[Cateran]

Very concerning 2g. It makes you wonder about the policy of opening primary schools so soon .

[2greys in reply to Cateran]

All they care about is getting the parents back to work. The big problem that they seem to ignore is, back to work with what jobs. Unemployment is increasing in leaps and bounds.

[Badbessie]

As other have indicated this as been believed for some time. I have many concerns. I live near my local primary school and would say 50% of the pre and after school care is by grand parents until working parents get home. It is a recipe for disaster.

[Patk1 in reply to Badbessie]

Perhaps,but life has to go on and its gd 4 the children to be going back. I see my grandchildren, despite the risks.parents HAVE to work mine have to actually go out to work,not work frm home.i,like them,take precautions & try to be sensible.stay safe x