Could loss of sense of smell point to COVID-19 infection?

There are calls to broaden the criteria for coronavirus testing to include the loss of sense of smell.

Lost your sense of smell or taste? It could be a symptom of COVID-19. Source: Getty Images/Tom Merton

Researchers have found it's an early sign of infection, especially among young people.

A survey  of 2,000 patients with a mild infection in South Korea found 15 percent had some degree of smell loss.

In Germany, 2 in 3 confirmed cases have the condition known as anosmia.

And in the UK, ear nose and throat surgeons wrote a letter saying "these patients may be some of the hidden carriers that have facilitated the rapid spread of COVID-19."

As more Australian patients experience the condition, there are calls for the loss of sense of smell to be recognised as an official symptom here to identify those unwittingly carrying and potentially spreading the virus.

Source: sbs nepali