A total of 590 participants answered the questions related to the symptoms of COVID-19 via a web platform.
An intense loss of smell or even taste is proved to be a reliable indicator of COVID-19 and is thought to be considered globally as a criterion for self-isolating, contact tracing and testing according to the researchers from the UK.
In the cohort study that assessed the health data from the primary care centers in London and is published in PLOS Medicine this week found out that 78 percent of people who reported a loss of smell or taste at the height of the pandemic had the presence of COVID-19 antibodies.
Of these people, 40 percent di not have any cough or fever.
According to the experts, this is the first time that such a report has been calculated and taken into account in the whole world.
According to the professors from the University College of London, as the country is moving towards the second wave of infections it is vital to detect the symptoms early and isolate them to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
The researchers from the UK say that the loss of smell and taste must be considered the reliable factors by global governments for self-isolation, testing and contact tracing.
While most people in the UK are experiencing sudden loss in smell and taste are advised to take a COVID-19 test and self isolate, most of the countries are still considering fever and respiratory symptoms as the major indicators.
The study took place in between April 23 and Many 14 at the peak of the pandemic and the research was conducted by sending messages to people registered with a primary health care center in London who had reported sudden loss of smell and taste.
A total of 590 participants enrolled through the web platform and responded to the questions asked in the study related to the COVID-19 symptoms.
Of these, 567 people have had telemedicine consultation with a medical professional who confirmed the history of their symptoms as being attacked by the coronavirus.
A total of 77.6 percent of these people who were tested COVID-19 positive have had the presence of antibodies in their bodies after recovery.
While the data from the global health centers have noted the symptoms like fever, respiratory issues, cough, loss of smell, taste, headache as the most prominent factors, this research confirms that 85 percent of the COVID-19 positive patients have reported loss in smell or taste or both.
