RECENT INFORMATION SHOWS THAT LOSS OF SMELL AND TASTE MAY BE A NEW WARNING SIGN OF COVID-19

A new statement published from ear, nose, and throat doctors (ENT) in the United Kingdom warns that anosmia (the loss of sense of smell) and ageusia (a diminished sense of taste) could be symptoms of COVID-19, in addition to a fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing, etc. Claire Hopkins, the president of the British Rhinological Society, and Nirmal Kumar, president of ENT UK, worked together to publish this statement. 

It is important to note that these observations are preliminary, and that it is possible  that this increase in anosmia is caused by other strains of viruses and not only COVID-19.

Some points made in the statement is that evidence from China, Italy, and South Korea shows that many affected with COVID-19 have developed anosmia. In South Korea, 30% of patients who tested positive and are mildly affected have anosmia as their major presenting symptom.  Furthermore, in Germany, 2 out of 3 affected individuals have developed anosmia. In the U.S, France, Iran, and northern Italy, there is a sudden increase in reports of patients presenting with anosmia in the absence of other symptoms. 

Based on this, Hopkins and Kumar suggest that those who present with only anosmia and no other symptoms may be hidden carriers of COVID-19, and thus may have facilitated the rapid spread of the virus. Since they do not fulfill the criteria to receive testing, it will be unknown whether they actually are carriers. However, Hopkins and Kumar are hopeful that anosmia can become a screening tool to identify asymptomatic patients. 

If you are interested in reading the full statement, it can be found at https://www.entuk.org/sites/default/files/files/Loss%20of%20sense%20of%20smell%20as%20marker%20of%20COVID.pdf