Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

December 14, 2020

Household Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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A meta-analysis of 54 studies including 77,758 participants estimated an overall household secondary transmission rate of SARS-CoV-2 of 17% (95% CI 14%-19%). The rate was higher from symptomatic index cases than from asymptomatic index cases (18% vs. 1%), to adult contacts than to child contacts (28% vs. 17%), to spouses than to other family contacts (38% vs. 18%), and in households with 1 contact than in households with 3 or more contacts (42% vs. 23%). The authors suggest that households will continue to be important venues for transmission as individuals with suspected or confirmed infections are instructed to isolate at home.

Madewell et al. (Dec 14, 2020). Household Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Network Open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.31756