Asymptomatic COVID-19 in hospital visitors: The underestimated potential of viral shedding

Victor C. Passarelli; Klinger Faico-Filho; Luiz Vinicius Leão Moreira; Ana Paula Cunha; Joseane Mayara Almeida Carvalho; Gabriela Rodrigues Barbosa; Clarice Camargo; Danielle D. Conte; Ana H. Perosa; Nancy Bellei

International Journal of Infectious Diseases (Jan 2021)

Asymptomatic COVID-19 in hospital visitors: The underestimated potential of viral shedding

Victor C. Passarelli,
Klinger Faico-Filho,
Luiz Vinicius Leão Moreira,
Ana Paula Cunha,
Joseane Mayara Almeida Carvalho,
Gabriela Rodrigues Barbosa,
Clarice Camargo,
Danielle D. Conte,
Ana H. Perosa,
Nancy Bellei

Affiliations

Victor C. Passarelli: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil; Corresponding author at: Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Rua Pedro de Toledo, 781, 15th floor. Zip Code: 04039-032.
Klinger Faico-Filho: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
Luiz Vinicius Leão Moreira: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
Ana Paula Cunha: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
Joseane Mayara Almeida Carvalho: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
Gabriela Rodrigues Barbosa: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
Clarice Camargo: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil; Instituto de Pesquisa PENSI–Sabará Hospital Infantil, São Paulo, Brazil
Danielle D. Conte: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
Ana H. Perosa: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
Nancy Bellei: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Laboratório de Virologia, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 102
pp. 412 – 414

Abstract

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In a single day, six of 150 (4%) asymptomatic visitors were diagnosed with COVID-19 at a hospital with a universal masking policy. Two inpatients (contacts) subsequently developed symptoms. More rigorous protective measures during visitation periods may need to be included in infection control practices to reduce nosocomial transmissions.

Published in International Journal of Infectious Diseases

ISSN: 1201-9712 (Print); 1878-3511 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Infectious and parasitic diseases
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-infectious-diseases/

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