Abstract

In this decision analytical model of multiple scenarios of proportions of asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 and infectious periods, transmission from asymptomatic individuals was estimated to account for more than half of all transmissions. In addition to identification and isolation of persons with symptomatic COVID-19, effective control of spread will require reducing the risk of transmission from people with infection who do not have symptoms. These findings suggest that measures such as wearing masks, hand hygiene, social distancing, and strategic testing of people who are not ill will be foundational to slowing the spread of COVID-19 until safe and effective vaccines are available and widely used.

Keywords

AsymptomaticTransmission (telecommunications)Incubation periodMedicineSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)EtiologyDemographyYoung adultDiseasePediatricsInfectious disease (medical specialty)Internal medicineIncubationBiology

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Publication Info

Year
2021
Type
article
Volume
4
Issue
1
Pages
e2035057-e2035057
Citations
1069
Access
Closed

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Michael A. Johansson, Talía M. Quandelacy, Sarah Kada et al. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 Transmission From People Without COVID-19 Symptoms. JAMA Network Open , 4 (1) , e2035057-e2035057. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.35057

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DOI
10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.35057