According to a recent study conducted by experts in China, around 80% percent of those who contracted novel coronavirus did not display any symptoms.
The British Medical Journal published the findings that were conducted by China's National Health Commission, which suggests that one in every five coronavirus cases, could be "asymptomatic."
The research revealed that 30 of 166 new infections – 78% – identified in the 24 hours prior to April 1, showed no symptoms.
The data comes, after Chinese authorities decided to start publishing the daily figures of how many new cases have no symptoms at all.
The Chinese government discovered 36 asymptomatic cases were from people trying to enter the country.
China are rigorously testing everyone who enters, even if they appear healthy, to stop a fresh outbreak of the virus.
Tom Jefferson, an epidemiologist and honorary research fellow at the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Oxford, said the findings were "very, very important."
He told The BMJ: "The sample is small, and more data will become available. Also, it's not clear exactly how these cases were identified.
"But let's just say they are generalisable.
"And even if they are 10 percent out, then this suggests the virus is everywhere. If – and I stress, if – the results are representative, then we have to ask, 'What the hell are we locking down for?'"
Mr Jefferson told the BMJ that it was 'quite likely' coronavirus had been circulating longer than first thought and that large numbers of the population had already been exposed to it.
The findings have sparked concerns over just how easy it is to spread the virus without even knowing you have it.
The Chinese government is ensuring that all people who test positive for the virus who are asymptomatic, are isolated for 14 days to prevent another outbreak.
