Russian public health officials say almost 30 percent of detected COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic

The number of coronavirus cases detected in Russia that cause no changes to the carrier’s health is on the rise, federal public health chief Anna Popova said in an interview with Channel One.

According to Popova, in early March, only 10 percent of those who tested positive for COVID-19 did not experience symptoms. Now, following expanded testing, that figure is almost 30 percent on a nationwide scale. In some regions, more than a third of confirmed cases do not carry symptoms.

“The more we test healthy people, the more we find asymptomatic people. […] Yesterday, for example, in the Moscow region, 52 percent of newly confirmed cases were people experiencing no health consequences. They were carrying the virus and didn’t know it,” Popova said. She emphasized the need for self-isolation and, “where possible,” testing individuals who appear to be healthy.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia is expected to pass 25,000 when new figures for April 15 are released.