The clinical feature and follow up of asymptomatic coronavirus disease
2019 carriers: A study from Middle China
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been highly epidemic
in the whole world now. Asymptomatic transmission of severe acute
respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)might pose challenges for disease
control. Little information on its characteristics of asymptomatic
COVID-19 carriers is available. This study aimed to clarify the clinical
feature and follow-up data of asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers, We hope
the information would help the management of asymptomatic
COVID-19 carriers. Methods: This retrospective study included all
asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers inThe First People’s Hospital of
Yueyang(Hunan,China) and Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital (Changsha,
China) between January 22 and March 26, 2020. The epidemiology ,clinical
characteristic,laboratory data,chest CT and follow-up data of these
cases were investigated. Results: 24 asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers were
enrolled inThe First People’s Hospital of Yueyang and Hunan Provincial
People’s Hospital between Jan 22, 2020 and Mar 26, 2020 . All patients
had history of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. During the whole disease course,
patients had no symptoms and most of laboratory findings were normal.
The median period from contact to diagnosis was 9.6days(1-38days). The
median period from diagnosis to discharge was 14.4 days (6-24 days).
Following after discharge,all patients continued to
be asymptomatic.5(20.83%) patients were admitted again because their
specimens(4 throat swab and 1 feces) showed re-positive results in
SARS-CoV-2 PCR. The re-positive time away from diagnosis(day) was from
23-53 days; the time from re-positive to re-negative RT-PCR of
SARS-CoV-2 was 3-11 days. Conclusion: Asymptomatic COVID-19
carriers have favorable outcomes and should be closely monitored. We
suggested post-discharge surveillance of them.