May 26, 2020

Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Patients A Systematic Review

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• [pre-print, not peer reviewed] A meta-analysis of 22 studies comprising 650 COVID-19 patients found that the duration of positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 following symptom onset among mild cases was 12.1 days in samples from the upper respiratory tract (URT), 24.1 days in samples from the lower respiratory tract (LRT), and 15.5 days in fecal samples. Differences in the duration of viral detection between mild and moderate-severe patients are limited in the LRT, but there is an indication of longer duration of viral detection in feces and the URT for moderate-severe patients. Findings are similar in children with mild symptoms. 

Weiss et al. (May 23, 2020). Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Patients A Systematic Review. Pre-print downloaded May 26 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.21.20108605