73.5% of asymptotic Covid 19 cases are children below 12: AIIMS

New Delhi: As high as 73.5% of COVID-19 children are asymptomatic and are less than 12 years. The proportion reduced linearly with age, with only 38.4% of the cases among those above the age of 80 being asymptomatic, data shared by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi said.

Almost 40% who tested positive for COVID-19 across age groups were found to be asymptomatic.

"This is the data from our center. The relevance comes in when we question the validity of an RT PCR test. As there are no symptoms in many of the patients, we do not come to know on which day we are sampling them," said Dr. Urvashi Singh, professor, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS.

Dr. Pawan Tiwari, assistant professor in the Department of Pulmonology said that the Rapid Antigen Test is benefitted for screening and early diagnosis that helps in prioritising patients in the emergency and allow rapid management. This is especially relevant in the low resource setting center.

The data was released by AIIMS while discussing the sensitivity and use of various detection tests by the doctors at the recent National Grand Rounds.

Also read: Assam Government rejects NGT's order: Won't ban firecrackers in Diwali

Also watch: #CandidConversation With Mirchi Cooldeep, Morning Jock & Content Creator, Radio Mirchi, Guwahati