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Published on: Jul 07, 2020
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Asymptomatic COVID Infections – Are You Safe?

Asymptomatic COVID infections – are you safe?

Patients with COVID usually exhibit signs of coughing, fever, and fatigue. This can develop into further respiratory problems including difficulty breathing, pneumonia in both lungs, and in severe cases the need to ventilate a patient in an intensive care setting. But what if you are asymptomatic? Do you need to worry? Surely you get the benefits of immunity without the dangers of life-threatening symptoms.

In our previous blog, we discussed how a study showed 41% of people with COVID were asymptomatic. However, they had the same viral load as their symptomatic counterparts. This paper published in Nature Medicine suggests that even the asymptomatic patients developed signs of lung inflammation without showing any outward symptoms. Could asymptomatic patients still be damaged by COVID? It's not easy to study this subset of patients, as they do not get tested routinely or present to hospital for examination or investigation.

This study looked at 37 individuals in the Wanzhou District who were diagnosed with COVID via swab test but did not show any symptoms before the test or during hospitalization. These patients were found through the extensive contact tracing program set up in Central China. Whilst in hospital 57% showed abnormalities in the lung fields on a CT scan, including the “ground glass” appearance classic for COVID pneumonia. These changes could be due to fluid or blood in the area or due to inflammation caused directly by the infection.

What does this mean for the individual in the long term? This is difficult to say, especially since COVID has only been around for a few months so long term follow up is simply impossible to state accurately. Depending on the size and severity of the inflammation it may resolve spontaneously with no lasting damage, or the inflammation could cause scarring of the lung tissue that only becomes evident several years or decades down the line. It's difficult to tell.

The study also looked at two other factors in these patients. Compared to their symptomatic counterparts, asymptomatic patients were found to shed viral particles for several more days. It is unclear the significance of this, or whether this makes them more infective or prone to transmitting the infection for a longer period of time. It does add support to the theory asymptomatic people should not believe themselves exempt from spreading the infection.

Secondly, the study looked at the prevalence of antibodies present in the patient's blood. These antibodies can be used as a surrogate for immunity. In theory, after infection occurs our body has the ability to rapidly produce these antibodies against the virus in the event of a second infection. This would neutralize the infection before it could develop into a serious disease.

Looking at these antibodies the researchers found antibody levels against the SARS and MERS virus to last over 2 years. However, against SARS-CoV-2, the antibody levels fall within 2-3 months, providing only a short duration of immunity. This is worrisome for individuals and countries hoping to achieve herd immunity or at least immunity to the virus after a mild or asymptomatic infection.

So what should we take away from this? Perhaps an asymptomatic infection is not the perfect scenario. Damage does occur to your lungs, albeit temporary damage. You are still able to spread it to vulnerable people. And your immunity may not last as long as other infections.

Therefore be safe. Maintain social distancing, follow government advice on wearing a mask. And if you can, avoid excessive socializing or close contact with lots of other people. The virus hasn’t gone away, and it is still dangerous.

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How Weekly Onsite Yoga Benefits Corporate Wellness: A Preventive Approach to Workplace Health

Corporate wellness programs are evolving rapidly. Traditional initiatives such as annual health checkups and gym memberships are no longer sufficient to address modern workplace health challenges. Rising stress levels, sedentary routines and burnout have pushed organisations to adopt preventive, sustainable wellness strategies. One of the most effective among these is weekly onsite yoga.

Understanding how onsite yoga weekly benefits corporate wellness highlights why this ancient practice has become a modern workplace necessity. Yoga addresses both physical and mental health, making it uniquely suited for today’s high-pressure corporate environments.

Why Corporate Wellness Needs Preventive Solutions

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and workplace health reports, lifestyle-related disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity and mental health conditions are increasingly affecting working professionals.

Key workplace health challenges include:

prolonged sitting
poor posture
chronic stress
sleep disturbances
reduced physical activity

Preventive interventions are essential to reverse these trends before they result in chronic disease and productivity loss.

What Is Weekly Onsite Yoga?

Weekly onsite yoga involves structured yoga sessions conducted at the workplace by trained instructors. These sessions typically include:

stretching and mobility exercises
breathing techniques
simple yoga postures
relaxation and mindfulness practices

Sessions are designed to be inclusive, requiring no prior yoga experience.

Why Weekly Frequency Matters

Consistency is the foundation of wellness.

Weekly yoga sessions:

reinforce healthy habits
prevent accumulation of stress
support gradual physical improvement
encourage long-term participation

Unlike one-time workshops, weekly programs deliver sustained impact.

Physical Health Benefits of Onsite Yoga

Reduces Musculoskeletal Problems

Desk-based work often leads to back pain, neck stiffness and joint discomfort. Yoga improves:

posture
flexibility
muscle strength

This reduces work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Improves Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health

Regular yoga practice supports:

blood pressure regulation
improved circulation
better glucose control

WHO recognises yoga and similar mind-body practices as beneficial for lifestyle disease prevention.

Enhances Energy Levels

Yoga improves oxygenation and circulation, reducing fatigue and mid-day energy crashes.

Mental Health Benefits in the Workplace

Reduces Stress and Burnout

Yoga lowers cortisol levels and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation.

This helps employees:

manage deadlines calmly
recover from mental fatigue
reduce anxiety

Improves Focus and Cognitive Performance

Breathing and mindfulness practices improve:

attention span
mental clarity
decision-making

Better focus directly translates into improved productivity.

Supports Emotional Wellbeing

Regular yoga enhances emotional regulation, reducing irritability and improving workplace relationships.

Impact on Productivity and Performance

Healthy employees perform better.

Weekly onsite yoga contributes to:

reduced absenteeism
fewer stress-related sick days
improved work engagement
sustained productivity

EY-FICCI corporate wellness studies show that preventive wellness programs deliver measurable performance benefits.

Role in Building a Wellness-Oriented Culture

Onsite yoga sends a strong message that employee wellbeing is a priority.

It helps organisations:

foster trust and engagement
encourage work-life balance
create a supportive environment

Wellness culture improves retention and employer branding.

Inclusivity and Accessibility

One of yoga’s biggest strengths is adaptability.

Onsite yoga:

suits all age groups
accommodates different fitness levels
requires minimal equipment
can be modified for health conditions

This inclusivity ensures broad participation.

Cost-Effectiveness and ROI

Compared to advanced medical interventions, onsite yoga is:

low-cost
scalable
preventive rather than reactive

By reducing long-term healthcare costs, yoga delivers high return on investment for employers.

Yoga as Part of Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare focuses on reducing risk factors before disease develops.

Weekly onsite yoga supports prevention by:

lowering stress-related disease risk
improving metabolic health
encouraging active lifestyles
supporting mental resilience

NITI Aayog recognises workplace wellness as a key lever for national health improvement.

Integration with Corporate Wellness Programs

Onsite yoga works best when integrated with:

preventive health checkups
stress management initiatives
nutrition education
digital health tracking

Integrated programs deliver stronger outcomes than isolated activities.

Overcoming Common Barriers

Some organisations hesitate due to:

time constraints
perceived lack of interest
space concerns

However, short, well-structured sessions (30–45 minutes) overcome these challenges effectively.

Long-Term Impact on Organisations

Organisations that adopt weekly onsite yoga observe:

healthier workforce
reduced burnout
improved morale
better long-term healthcare outcomes

Lancet workplace health studies show that consistent mind-body interventions yield benefits within 6–12 months.

Conclusion

Understanding how onsite yoga weekly benefits corporate wellness reveals why it is more than a fitness activity—it is a preventive health strategy. By addressing physical strain, mental stress and lifestyle risks, weekly onsite yoga supports healthier employees, stronger productivity and sustainable wellness culture. In today’s demanding corporate environment, investing in regular yoga sessions is an investment in long-term organisational resilience and success.

References

ICMR – Workplace Health and Lifestyle Disease Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health and Stress Indicators
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Workplace Wellness Strategy
WHO – Physical Activity, Yoga and Mental Health Guideline
Lancet – Mind-Body Interventions and Workplace Health Outcomes
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Productivity Report
Statista – Corporate Wellness Program Trends India

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