June 23, 2020

Clinical Course of Asymptomatic and Mildly Symptomatic Patients with Coronavirus Disease Admitted to Community Treatment Centers, South Korea

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice

• Lee et al. report outcomes among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who had mild or no COVID-19 symptoms and were isolated and monitored in community treatment centers in South Korea (n=632). Among this population, 12% had symptoms at admission, 29% were initially asymptomatic but later developed symptoms, and 59% remained asymptomatic. Three percent were transferred to hospitals, and 94% entered virologic remission (after a mean of 20 days) and were discharged. The time until virologic remission was longer in symptomatic patients than asymptomatic patients, and 20% remained in isolation 4 weeks after diagnosis. 

Lee et al. (June 2020). Clinical Course of Asymptomatic and Mildly Symptomatic Patients with Coronavirus Disease Admitted to Community Treatment Centers, South Korea. Emerging Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2610.201620