Characterisation of asymptomatic patients and efficacy of preventive measures for SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large population of Southern Italy: a cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has infected millions of people and has caused more than 2.30 million deaths worldwide to date. Several doubts arise about the role of asymptomatic carriers in virus transmission. During the first epidemic outbreak in Italy a large screening with nasopharyngeal swab (NS) was performed in those who were considered 'suspect' for infection.

Aims

To report the results of the SARS-CoV-2 screening in a province in Southern Italy and to provide data on the COVID-19 epidemic and the burden of asymptomatic subjects.

Patients and methods

A retrospective cohort study was set up in all healthcare facilities of the province (12 hospitals and 13 sanitary districts: primary, secondary and tertiary centres) with the aim to analyse the results of NS

SUBMITTER: Masarone M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8111874 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature