Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 12, 2021

Household Overcrowding and Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Analysis of the Virus Watch Prospective Community Cohort Study in England and Wales

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  • [Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] The proportion of people with SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR tests was higher among participants living in houses with more occupants than rooms (“overcrowded houses”) when compared to houses with fewer occupants (7% vs 3%) per room, according to a household community cohort study in England and Wales (n=10,33) conducted between June 2020 to May 2021. Adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, household income, and geographical region, the likelihood of having a positive PCR SARS-CoV-2 antigen test was nearly 4-fold higher among those living in houses with more occupants than rooms. Similarly, the likelihood of being positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was nearly 3-fold higher among those in overcrowded houses.

Aldridge et al. (May 11, 2021). Household Overcrowding and Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Analysis of the Virus Watch Prospective Community Cohort Study in England and Wales. Pre-print downloaded May 12 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.10.21256912