Evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 positivity ratio and upper respiratory tract viral load among asymptomatic individuals screened before hospitalization or surgery in Flanders, Belgium.

Laura HeiremanSteven AbramsPeggy BruynseelsReinoud CartuyvelsLize CuypersPieter De SchouwerWim LaffutKatrien LagrouNiel HensErwin HoElizaveta PadalkoMarijke ReyndersSarah VandammeNathalie Van der MoerenWalter VerstrepenPhilippe WillemsReinout Naesens

Published in: PloS one (2021)

There was a high SARS-CoV-2 circulation among asymptomatic patients with a predominance and highest viral loads observed in the elderly. Moreover, ahead of the second COVID-19 wave an increase in median viral load was noted with the highest overall positivity ratio observed in 20-30 year old individuals, indicating they could have been the hidden drivers of this wave.

Keyphrases

sars cov
respiratory tract
respiratory syndrome coronavirus
minimally invasive
coronary artery bypass
coronavirus disease
acute coronary syndrome
atrial fibrillation