Arnold FW, Bishop S, Oppy L, Scott L, Stevenson G. Surveillance testing reveals a significant proportion of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 are asymptomatic.
Am J Infect Control 2021;
49:281-285. [PMID:
33428982 PMCID:
PMC7794603 DOI:
10.1016/j.ajic.2021.01.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The proportion of positive patients admitted to acute-care hospitals for reasons other than coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is unknown. These patients potentially put other patients and healthcare workers at risk of infection.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to define the proportion of asymptomatic patients admitted with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Secondary objectives were to define the positivity rate, reasons for admission, and the geographic distribution in the region.
METHODS
Universal surveillance testing for SARS-CoV-2 was performed on patients admitted to this hospital over a 12-week period from April 9, 2020 to July 1, 2020. Positive patients were categorized as either symptomatic or asymptomatic as defined by the 11 criteria per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The positivity rate, proportion with and without symptoms, reasons for admission, and geographic distribution in the region were recorded.
RESULTS
The positivity rate ranged from 0.8% to 6.2%. The proportion of asymptomatic patients with SARS-CoV-2 was 37%. Asymptomatic patients primarily presented to the hospital because of either trauma or labor. Some clusters in the region were identified of both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of asymptomatic patients admitted with SARS-CoV-2 was significant. Identifying and isolating asymptomatic patients likely prevented exposure and development of hospital-acquired COVID-19 cases among healthcare workers and other patients, supporting the universal surveillance of all admitted patients.
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