Analysis of Asymptomatic and Presymptomatic Transmission in SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak, Germany, 2020
Jennifer K. Bender, Michael Brandl, Michael Höhle, Udo Buchholz, Nadine Zeitlmann
Abstract
We determined secondary attack rates (SAR) among close contacts of 59 asymptomatic and symptomatic coronavirus disease case-patients by presymptomatic and symptomatic exposure. We observed no transmission from asymptomatic case-patients and highest SAR through presymptomatic exposure. Rapid quarantine of close contacts with or without symptoms is needed to prevent presymptomatic transmission.
Topics & Concepts
OutbreakVirologySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Transmission (telecommunications)Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Asymptomatic2019-20 coronavirus outbreakBetacoronavirusPandemicMedicinePathologyDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)Computer scienceTelecommunicationsSARS-CoV-2 detection and testingSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 epidemiological studies