Abstract

The current pandemic of Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) which is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in lockdown in many countries culminating in a major socio-economic crisis globally. COVID-19 can remain asymptomatic and so is crucial for early diagnosis to prevent further spread of this pandemic. Here we highlight the importance of screening asymptomatic patients prior to elective surgery, procedure or scheduled hospital admission. This analysis was done for the month of July 2020 during which 261 asymptomatic people were screened for COVID-19. Out of this, 6 patients (2.29%) were diagnosed to have COVID-19 on nasopharyngeal/ oropharyngeal swabs and subsequently had to delay their elective procedure or surgery. This clearly shows how important it is to screen this cohort of asymptomatic people who could potentially have spread the virus to other patients as well as healthcare professionals.