THE HIDDEN VULNERABILITY OF COVID-19 OBSERVED FROM ASYMPTOMATIC CASES IN INDONESIA

Abstract

Muhammad Miftahussurur.

The world is currently overwhelmed by fighting a pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Within just a few months, the virus has spread all over the country causing many deaths. Although some guidelines have been proposed to prevent more casualties, the transmission rate remains high. One clinical spectrum that was initially being an underdog for its ability to widely spread COVID-19 is asymptomatic cases. Subtle clinical manifestations with the same transmission potential as in symptomatic cases make asymptomatic cases worth to be considered. Transmission of asymptomatic cases, commonly in family clusters, will also be a new problem considering some family members have a high risk of COVID-19. The asymptomatic cases remain a problem in developed and former countries infected with COVID-19, and also for Indonesia as a developing country with various uniqueness. Indonesia’s authorities are struggling to win this battle with COVID-19 with all the available resources, and until now the stressing is still on symptomatic cases while asymptomatic cases can be a silent thread if not recognized and handled properly. A better and deeper understanding of various aspects of asymptomatic cases may be a consideration for better health policies.