Evaluation of Contacts of the Patients with Negative COVID RT-PCR and Thorax CT findings compatible with Covid-19 Pneumonia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the test results of patients whose RT-PCR test result was negative, but thorax CT findings were compatible with COVID-19 and their infectiousness in terms of contacts. METHODS: The study was designed as cross-sectional, descriptive research. In the first group, thorax CT revealed findings compatible with COVID-19 pneumonia, and the RT-PCR test result was negative. In the second group, thorax CT revealed findings compatible with COVID-19 pneumonia, and the RT-PCR test result was positive. Data collected were assessed with SPSS 21.0 software program. The significance level was accepted as 5%. RESULTS: Of the participants, 54.41% were male, and 45.59% were female. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of contact environment and status of being a healthcare worker and exitus. There was no difference between the first and second groups in terms of the number of contacts. The rate of sample collection was higher in the second group. The number of people who had contact with the patients and positive RT-PCR test results was higher in the first group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Even if patients have negative RT-PCR test results for COVID-19, they are still infectious.

Keywords

• computerized tomography
• covid-19
• real time-pcr