SARS-CoV-2 viral load is associated with risk of transmission to household and community contacts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Factors that lead to successful SARS-CoV-2 transmission are still not well described. We investigated the association between a case's viral load and the risk of transmission to contacts in the context of other exposure-related factors.

Methods

Data were generated through routine testing and contact tracing at a large university. Case viral loads were obtained from cycle threshold values associated with a positive polymerase chain reaction test result from October 1, 2020 to April 15, 2021. Cases were included if they had at least one contact who tested 3-14 days after the exposure. Case-contact pairs were formed by linking index cases with contacts. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate differences in proportions of contacts testing positive. Generalized estimat

SUBMITTER: Bhavnani D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9354300 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature