Low infectivity among asymptomatic patients with a positive severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) admission test at a tertiary care center, 2020-2022

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2024 Feb;45(2):241-243. doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.210. Epub 2023 Sep 25.

Abstract

We used a strand-specific RT-qPCR to evaluate viral replication as a surrogate for infectiousness among 242 asymptomatic inpatients with a positive severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) admission test. Only 21 patients (9%) had detectable SARS-CoV-2 minus-strand RNA. Because most patients were found to be noninfectious, our findings support the suspension of asymptomatic admission testing.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Testing
  • COVID-19* / diagnosis
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques
  • Humans
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • Tertiary Care Centers

Substances

  • RNA, Viral