Comprehensive estimation for the length and dispersion of COVID-19 incubation period: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To estimate the central tendency and dispersion for incubation period of COVID-19 and, in turn, assess the effect of a certain length of quarantine for close contacts in active monitoring.

Methods

Literature related to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 was searched through April 26, 2020. Quality was assessed according to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality guidelines. Log-normal distribution for the incubation period was assumed to estimate the parameters for each study. Incubation period median and dispersion were estimated, and distribution was simulated.

Results

Fifty-six studies encompassing 4095 cases were included in this meta-analysis. The estimated median incubation period for general transmissions was 5.8 days [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 5.3, 6.2

SUBMITTER: Wei Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8372687 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature